James Samba, a 20-year-old self-taught engineer and innovator from Sierra Leone, has created the nation’s first electric car with self-recharging capabilities using 75% local components.
James Samba began his mission three months ago to become the first Sierra Leonean to locally produce an electric automobile. He began pursuing this goal in a friend’s garage, where he regularly hauled in local waste that was gathered from Freetown’s streets.
As Einstein once said, “necessity is the mother of invention.” Speaking to The African Dream, James said he got the inspiration to build an electric vehicle from his uncle who is handicapped. He says seeing his uncle going around strenuously pushed him to do something. Being the one who normally helps his uncle to ride the wheelchair he uses to move around, he thought of doing something that could help the movement of his uncle look easier. So he thought of making an electric vehicle which is user-friendly for persons living with disability who finds it very difficult to have accessible public transportation.
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Of course, his uncle’s condition inspired him but also what added to his inspiration is climate change and global warming. The use of fossil fuels, according to scientists, has caused a lot of damage to our planet and thus caused global warming and climate change which have negatively impacted the lives of the world population, especially those living in developing countries like Sierra Leone. This artificial phenomenon caused by human activities has affected billions of people and kills approximately 150,000 people annually. James’ idea is to be part of the solution instead of the problem by creating an eco-friendly electric vehicle that doesn’t emit Carbon monoxide.
James’ electric vehicle is a 10-seater shuttle minibus. It’s solar-powered and electric-powered. It comes with a self-recharging system which makes it easier to be used in places or countries without access to electricity. The vehicle is also made to accommodate persons with disability.Video: James Samba test driving his locally made electric minibus vehicle
As a result of Sierra Leone’s heavy reliance on imported items like petroleum, the price of fuel fluctuates. The price of fuel has just increased, and since the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine war, a rise has been expected. The cost of moving people and goods from one place to another rises in tandem with the price of gasoline, which has an adverse effect on the nation’s economy and the standard of living of the average Sierra Leonean. James Samba, a pioneer, wants to see a fuel substitute in his native Sierra Leone.
THE RISE IN FUEL PUMP PRICES HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR IN SIERRA LEONE. THIS HAS MADE THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION INCREASE AND MOST OF THE TIME DIFFICULT TO ACCESS TRANSPORT VEHICLES. I SEE THIS AS A CHALLENGE BUT ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO EMBRACE. WE NEED TO STOP RELYING ON FUEL IN SIERRA LEONE AND START LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE. THAT IS WHY I BUILT THIS ELECTRIC VEHICLE SO THAT WE WILL STOP RELYING ON FUEL.