Kiira Motors Corporation has completed the Tanzanian segment of the MIU Grand Trans Africa Electric Expedition with its Kayoola electric coach. The vehicle covered 1,771 kilometres from Mutukula on the Ugandan border to Tunduma near the frontier with Zambia.
The journey allowed the team to assess the performance of the Kayoola electric coach across a range of road conditions, climates, and elevations typical of long-distance travel in East Africa.
The expedition began in Mutukula, a busy border town that supports regular movement of people and goods between Uganda and Tanzania. From there, the route progressed through the quieter stretches around Biharamulo before reaching Kahama, a town with a strong mining presence and associated transport activity. The plains around Singida offered long, open road sections, followed by entry into Dodoma, the country’s administrative capital.
Beyond Dodoma, the landscape rose into the highlands around Iringa and Mafinga, where lower temperatures and winding roads required careful energy and speed management. Approaching Mbeya, the terrain became more mountainous, providing a further test of climbing capability and stability. The final descent into Tunduma brought the Tanzanian leg to a close at a major trade gateway for southern traffic flows.
The journey provided a practical test environment for the 13-metre Kayoola electric coach. The vehicle encountered a mix of flat plains, semi-arid plateaus, steep gradients such as those in the Kitonga Hills, and high-altitude conditions in Mbeya. These variations offered insight into range performance, battery management, and operational consistency over long distances.
The objective of the expedition is to generate real-world data on electric mobility across extended African routes. The coach, designed for intercity travel, features an electric drivetrain intended to reduce tailpipe emissions while maintaining the requirements of long-distance passenger transport.
With the Tanzanian leg now completed, the MIU Grand Trans Africa Electric Expedition continues its broader route across the continent. The data gathered is expected to inform discussions on electric mobility, infrastructure planning, and the practicality of long-distance electric transport in Africa.
