In a move that could redefine sustainable transport in West Africa, Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has unveiled a locally manufactured electric vehicle (EV) capable of recharging its own battery while in motion.
The five-seater prototype, christened the ‘Nimde3 Hyiren REV’, made its high-profile debut on Saturday, 28th March 2026, during a grand durbar marking the university’s 70th anniversary.
Developed over six months by three final-year Bachelor of Technology (BTec) students, the vehicle represents a bold departure from global EV standards that rely heavily on stationary charging infrastructure—a significant hurdle in the Ghanaian context.
Unlike conventional electric cars that must be tethered to a power outlet when the battery depletes, the ‘Nimde3 Hyiren’ utilises advanced regenerative braking technology. This system captures kinetic energy typically lost during deceleration and converts it back into electricity to top up the battery.
Professor Prince Owusu-Ansah, Head of the Automotive and Agricultural Mechanisation Department, explained that the goal was to eliminate “range anxiety” for Ghanaian drivers.
“With our innovation, as the driver reduces the vehicle’s speed or steps on the brake while driving, the generator will automatically charge the battery,” Prof Owusu-Ansah revealed. “This is to prevent the battery from running low before being charged. For instance, it can travel from Kumasi to Konongo and back without the battery being charged.”
He emphasised that the vehicle was “built entirely from scratch”, ensuring the technology is perfectly adapted to local road conditions and energy constraints.
The unveiling served as a showcase for KsTU’s broader “Industry-Academia” strategy. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Dwomoh, used the platform to highlight a suite of other homegrown technologies, ranging from drones and RC feeders to multi-purpose rocket stoves and air quality monitors.
Prof. Dwomoh argued that the successful assembly of a 150km/h electric vehicle proves that Ghana’s technical universities are ready to lead the nation’s industrialisation drive.
“This is what we can achieve if academia and industry come together,” the Vice-Chancellor remarked. “I wish to call on our partners, the government, and the private sector to join us as we embark on the next phase of our journey. That is, focusing on digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable engineering.”
The university is already looking toward the commercial horizon. Prof Owusu-Ansah indicated that the Faculty of Engineering is prepared to move from prototypes to bespoke production for the private sector.
“As a faculty, we are not going to rest on what we have achieved but will improve upon the vehicle in terms of its speed and other key aspects,” he noted. For interested buyers, the department has set a clear delivery timeline: “If anyone needs one and makes payment, it will be ready in six months.”
As Ghana grapples with rising fuel costs and the global push for “Green Transport,” the Nimde3 Hyiren stands as a testament to the potential of “Made in Ghana” engineering to solve 21st-century energy crises.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com