The Ministry of Infrastructure says Rwanda is developing plans to convert gasoline-powered vehicles into electric or gas-powered alternatives, part of broader efforts to curb rising fuel costs and reduce air pollution from transport.
The proposal comes as global fuel prices continue to fluctuate amid geopolitical tensions that have disrupted supply routes and pushed crude oil prices higher. In recent weeks, international benchmarks briefly climbed above $126 a barrel, the highest level since 2022 during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Rwanda has also felt the impact, with gasoline prices reaching 2,938 Rwandan francs per liter.
Alfred Byiringiro, a senior technical adviser for transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure, said the government is studying vehicle conversion as part of pilot projects, similar to earlier efforts involving motorcycles.
“We converted 85 motorcycles from fuel to electric. We have also received interest from several companies regarding cars,” he said.
Byiringiro said companies from Poland and Turkey have presented proposals showing how internal combustion engine vehicles could be converted to run on electric power or gas.
He said the government is now considering pilot programs to test the feasibility before scaling up.
One of the main constraints, he said, has been access to compressed natural gas (CNG), though plans are underway to address supply challenges.
“We are looking at whether vehicles can be converted to run on gas or electricity,” he said.
Rwanda is expected to begin commercial production of cooking gas extracted from Lake Kivu in 2028, under a 25-year agreement with Gasmeth Energy. The project is expected to extract up to 40 million cubic meters of gas per day.
The government has already introduced policies to promote electric mobility, including prioritizing public transport, encouraging electric buses, and requiring public institutions to ensure at least 30% of newly purchased vehicles are electric.
Officials say the measures are also part of Rwanda’s climate commitments, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 38% by 2030. Transport accounts for an estimated 12% of the country’s emissions.
