KsTU Students Invent Electric Car that Charges While Driving
Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has unveiled an electric vehicle fitted with regenerative braking technology, marking a significant step in locally driven innovation in sustainable transport.
The five-seater vehicle, named Nimdeɛ Hyiren REV, was developed within six months by three final-year students as part of their Bachelor of Technology (BTec) in Automotive Engineering programme.
The project was supervised by the Head of the Automotive and Agricultural Mechanisation Department, Professor Prince Owusu-Ansah, with support from industry players.
Innovative Charging System
The vehicle’s key feature is its regenerative braking system, which allows the battery to recharge automatically while in motion, particularly when the driver slows down or applies the brakes.
This innovation contrasts with conventional electric vehicles, which require stationary charging at designated points when their batteries run low.
The initiative, according to the university, responds to the global shift towards sustainable mobility while adapting such technologies to Ghana’s transport and energy needs.
The vehicle, which can reach up to 150 kilometres per hour, was officially unveiled on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a durbar to climax the university’s 70th-anniversary celebrations.
Advancing Local Innovation
Addressing the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Dwomoh, said the university had advanced existing electric vehicle concepts by introducing regenerative capabilities.
He commended the collaboration between academia and industry, stating that “this is what we can achieve if academia and industry come together”.
He also highlighted other innovations developed by the university, including a multi-purpose rocket stove, a multi-purpose food dryer, a fish smoker, an RC feeder, drones, an electronic food warmer, a mini-cement mixer, and an air quality monitor.
“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,” he said
Built from Scratch
Providing further details in an interview, Prof Owusu-Ansah said the vehicle was built entirely from scratch and represents a departure from existing electric vehicles that rely solely on external charging.
He explained that the team aimed to develop a system that enables continuous charging during operation.
“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”.
“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,” Prof Owusu-Ansah indicated.
He added that as long as the vehicle is in motion, its battery continues to recharge, unlike conventional electric vehicles.
Next Phase
On plans, Prof Owusu-Ansah said the university intends to refine the technology and scale up production to include larger vehicles.
He said, “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”, noting, “if anyone needs one and makes payment, it will be ready in six months”.
Source: Graphic
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
