How EV House Is Transforming Ghana’s Electric Vehicle Market with the RD6 and Panda Mini

The interview with Edward Hightower, CEO of Accra EV House Ltd, offers an in-depth look at how the company is shaping the future of electric vehicles in Ghana and building a foundation for sustainable mobility and automotive industrialisation across West Africa. EV House, part of Accra EV, is a premium electric car and pickup truck marketing and fleet management company, focused mainly on business fleet EV and government fleet EV customers. Their mission is to support organisations transitioning from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles in Ghana, helping them reduce operating costs while gaining better performance, lower maintenance, and long-term sustainability.

Hightower explains that EV House Ghana chose the country for its strong market potential, skilled workforce, and alignment with Ghana’s EV policy. The company’s long-term strategy is to first commercialise EVs in Ghana, then localise EV assembly, component manufacturing, automotive engineering, and EV software development. This aligns with government goals to develop the Ghana auto industry and create new jobs, skills, and value-chain opportunities.

A central part of the interview discusses the company’s two flagship models: the Riddara RD6 (also known as the Radar RD6), positioned as the most functional electric pickup truck in Ghana, and the Geely Geome (Geometry) Panda Mini, promoted as the most accessible and most affordable electric vehicle in Ghana. The RD6 combines luxury features with the practicality of a pickup and offers a unique 15-kilowatt mobile power supply, allowing users to plug in tools or appliances anywhere—from Kokrobite to Kumasi. The Panda Mini, with its 200-km range and compact design, is particularly suited for daily commuting in Accra and aligns with the needs of small businesses seeking cost-effective EV options.

Hightower stresses that competition in the emerging Ghana EV market remains limited, but EV House differentiates itself through quality, service, and a long-term commitment to the country. Unlike companies simply importing cars, EV House focuses exclusively on its two models to offer excellent EV maintenance, customer education, and full support through level one EV chargers, level two charger installation, and guidance on EV charging in Ghana. The company emphasises that most charging needs are met through standard outlets or workplace chargers, making EVs as easy to charge “as a mobile phone”.

The article also explores EV battery life, EV range, and the engineering behind the 74 kWh RD6 battery versus the 17 kWh Panda Mini battery, explaining how battery size affects cost, efficiency, and vehicle mass. Long-tail concepts such as fleet electrification Ghana, EV total cost of ownership, EV vs ICE comparisons, and the environmental impact of reduced fuel consumption all feature prominently. Hightower notes that even converting 10% of a fleet to electric cars generates immediate savings and contributes to cleaner air, as seen during quieter holiday periods in Accra.

A strong emphasis is placed on skills development, with partnerships involving the Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) and the University of Ghana School of Engineering. These collaborations prepare technicians for the emerging EV economy, supporting the wider goal of localising EV manufacturing in Ghana and integrating West Africa into the global automotive supply chain.

The interview concludes with Hightower’s optimistic view of the next three to five years. As awareness grows and customers experience the superior performance, lower cost, and greater efficiency of electric vehicles like the RD6 and Panda Mini, he expects widespread adoption across business and government fleets. This momentum will strengthen the case for local EV industrialisation, attract international investors, and generate opportunities for entrepreneurs entering EV component production, EV engineering, and automotive value-chain innovation.

Electric vehicles are generating significant excitement worldwide, including here in Ghana. Could you provide us with an overview of your company, how it was founded, the journey so far, and the reasons behind choosing Ghana as a base of operations?

EV House is a premium electric car and pickup truck marketing and fleet management company. Our objective is to develop the electric vehicle market in Ghana, with a particular focus on business and government fleets. We support organisations in making the smart transition from petrol and diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to battery electric vehicles.

We are focusing on business and government fleets because they recognise the financial benefits. These vehicles not only offer a lower total cost of ownership with no fuel purchases, no oil changes, and longer, less expensive maintenance intervals, but they are also becoming more affordable. With new models entering the market, broader segment options, and falling battery costs, acquisition prices are now lower as well.

We are focused on developing the market with a long-term vision to localise elements of the electric vehicle industry in Ghana. Our goal is to first commercialise electric vehicles, then industrialise them locally. We chose Ghana because of its strong market potential.

Ghana offers centrality within the West African auto market, a highly educated and forward-thinking workforce, and the government’s support and interest in developing the local auto industry.

In addition to my experience in the global automotive industry as an executive with Ford, BMW and GM for over three decades, I am the author of Motoring Africa: Sustainable Automotive Industrialisation, published in 2018. The book focuses on strategies for building the automotive industry in six African countries, including Ghana. It draws on my experience working in China, India, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico and across Latin America.

Ghana was one of the six African countries selected, and we are excited to be building our business in the country. We see a strong market opportunity and a clear business rationale for developing Accra EV and EV House in Accra.

With many Ghanaians relying on imported vehicles, how are people responding to electric cars, and which market segments are you focusing on with your models?

As we launch EV House and promote our two vehicles, consumers are realising that our electric models offer better value. With our EVs, they are able to get a superior vehicle at a lower price, with lower total ownership costs.

We are focusing on two models, one of which is the Geely Riddara RD6 (also known as Radar RD6). We positioned it as the most functional electric vehicle in Ghana. It is a luxury vehicle that combines premium comfort with the utility of a pickup bed and provides a 15-kilowatt mobile power supply wherever you go.

This means that wherever you take the vehicle, you can connect up to six standard Ghanaian outlets to power tools or appliances. Whether in Kokrobite, Labadi Beach or Kumasi, the RD6 delivers reliable energy on the move. It is an ideal solution for businesses of all sizes and for entrepreneurs who need both mobility and power.

Our other key model is the Geely Geome (Geometry) Panda Mini, which we are positioning as the most accessible electric vehicle in Ghana. Compact yet spacious, it offers practical utility and comfortable seating for four passengers. The Panda Mini represents excellent value and is the best-priced electric vehicle available in the country.

So, to your point about consumer reaction and the market for home‑used cars, customers are beginning to realise that with the Riddara RD6 all-electric pickup, they can obtain a vehicle that outperforms traditional models. Compared with a Toyota Land Cruiser or Land Cruiser Prado, the RD6 offers superior performance, faster acceleration and better handling. It also comes at a lower cost compared to purchasing a second-hand one- or two-year-old Land Cruiser or Prado, not only in terms of purchase price but also in long-term operation, since it runs on electricity rather than petrol or diesel.

You have mentioned premium luxury cars as part of your offering. Does this mean you are focusing only on a niche luxury segment, or are there plans to introduce more affordable models to suit varying income levels?

No, we are not focusing solely on premium luxury cars. My point is that our RD6 has the attributes of a luxury vehicle, but it also has the utility of a pickup truck, and it comes at a price significantly lower than what you would pay for those luxury vehicles. It delivers exceptional value, offering features such as a leather interior and powerful air conditioning.
It is very quiet and refined, with exceptional performance. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kph (60 mph) in under five seconds, making it highly responsive. Its handling is flat and stable, delivering the kind of driving dynamics usually associated with luxury vehicles, yet you are getting them in our RD6 pickup without having to pay luxury prices.
In addition, total ownership costs are significantly lower, with reduced weekly or monthly fuel expenses and lower annual maintenance requirements.

In the case of our Geome Panda Mini, it offers the most attractive price point for an electric vehicle in Ghana. While we are focusing on business and government fleets, we are also covering the key segments within that.


The electric vehicle industry is still relatively young, yet competition is emerging. What differentiates EV House from other companies entering the market?

What makes us unique and sets us apart is that we are offering the best vehicles for business and government fleets. As I mentioned, we have the most functional EV in Ghana with the Radar RD6, and the most accessible, the Geome Panda Mini. We are providing these vehicles with excellent service by focusing exclusively on these two models. Our priority is to deliver a great ownership experience to business and government fleet customers as we realise they are new to electric vehicles, and we will be there to support them.
Maintenance is something we will handle, but customers will quickly realise that electric vehicles require far less attention. You are not going to do an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles as you would with a petrol or other ICE vehicle.

Another thing that makes us different is that, through our parent company Accra EV, we are part of a long-term vision to develop the electric vehicle industry in Ghana. We are not simply traders importing and selling a few vehicles. We aim to develop the market in a way that creates a strong business rationale for localising more of the industry. This will generate wider benefits, including skills transfer, opportunities for entrepreneurs, and new jobs that will accompany the growth of the sector.

You’ve spoken about building the industry and localising production. Will you be developing or assembling vehicles in Ghana, and what is the broader vision or mission guiding this plan?

First and foremost, our priority is to develop the market. We want to educate the market on how electric vehicles differ from and improve upon internal combustion engine models that have dominated globally for more than a century. We want to show how they are different, how they fit well into business and government fleet needs, and how they enable customers to do more while spending less.

As the market develops, we believe there will be a strong business rationale not only for local assembly but also for component manufacturing, vehicle and component engineering, and software development in Ghana.

All of this will result in the development of local skills, new business opportunities for entrepreneurs, and career prospects for Ghana’s youth. These benefits arise through the development and localisation of the automotive and electric vehicle industry in Ghana, as well as from addressing market needs and enabling opportunities.

Building the market for electric vehicles comes with challenges such as charging infrastructure and cost of ownership. How are you addressing these issues in Ghana, and are you forming local partnerships to support market development?

One of the greatest barriers is not charging infrastructure but rather education and product familiarity. Charging is often perceived as a challenge only by those who have not driven electric vehicles and are unfamiliar with the products, because they have been led to believe that it is. We aim to educate the market and demonstrate that charging needs for business and government fleet customers can be met in much the same way as charging mobile phones. Vehicles can be charged at offices, at depots where fleets are parked overnight, or at home.

With every vehicle EV House sells, we provide a level one charger, which allows drivers to plug into a standard Ghanaian outlet and recharge their vehicle overnight. For faster charging, we also include a level two charger and arrange installation by a certified electrician at the customer’s office, depot or home. This system charges up to seven times faster than a standard outlet, ensuring convenience and efficiency.

Our research shows that most people and businesses in Accra drive fewer than 50 kilometres per day. The Panda Mini has a range of 200 kilometres on a full charge, meaning it can run for up to four days without recharging. Topping up is simple. You can plug it into a standard outlet in seconds and charge while you sleep, have dinner, help your children with homework, or while you are at the office during the day.

For longer journeys outside Accra, such as to Kumasi or other regions, more commercial DC fast‑charging stations are becoming available, including Charge Express locations at A&C Mall and along Spintex Road, with additional sites planned. Most EV users quickly realise that their charging needs can be met just as easily as charging a mobile phone, whether through a standard outlet or the level two charger we provide.
This is something we hope to continue educating the market on over time.

If you are someone who only drives long distances, then you are not our target customer. Most customers have local driving needs, and we aim to show them how they can save a significant amount of money while gaining a vehicle that does many things their current vehicles cannot, by considering either our Riddara RD6 or our Geome Panda Mini. Long trips are certainly possible, but they represent only five to ten per cent of typical usage, while the vast majority of driving is local.

You recently partnered with Accra Training Centre to support local talent development. How do you plan to expand these efforts as part of your mission in Ghana?

Since we are focusing on business and government fleets, one of our priorities in developing the premium electric car and pickup truck market is to provide customers with an excellent service and an outstanding ownership experience. This is a key differentiator for EV House. Technician training will therefore be very important to us, and that is why we are pursuing initiatives such as the partnership you mentioned with ATTC, and our collaboration with the University of Ghana’s School of Engineering at Legon.

Service engineering and delivery are also crucial, with technicians playing a central role in meeting customer needs. This represents one of the significant skills and employment opportunities I referred to earlier, which will expand as the local market develops. As we deliver great service to customers, it will naturally drive the growth of the market.
A vital part of delivering this service is training local technicians to adapt the skills they have acquired from working on internal combustion engine vehicles, such as petrol and diesel models, and applying them to the unique requirements of electric vehicles.


Policy is a critical driver in this emerging industryand Ghana’s new EV policy aims to accelerate sustainable mobility. How do your growth plans align with this policy and the wider African market, and what impact do you expect in the next three to five years?

We believe our objectives are closely aligned with government policy. Our immediate goal is to commercialise electric cars and pickup trucks, thereby developing the market. As the market grows and consumers increasingly transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric models, as seen in other parts of the world, the industrialisation case becomes stronger.In the United States, the figure is approximately 10%, while in parts of Europe it ranges between 25% and 30%. Norway is much higher, at around 80%. In China, the largest automobile market globally, electric vehicles represent about 50% of sales, meaning one in every two vehicles sold is electric.As these global trends demonstrate the transition towards electrification, we see a clear business rationale to focus on the industrialisation aspects, which form a central part of our long-term vision for electric cars and pickup trucks. Localising EV manufacturing and engineering is central to our vision, as it enables Ghana and West Africa to connect meaningfully with the global automotive and electric vehicle industry. We believe our objectives are closely aligned with government policy and reflect several of its key goals.

From your perspective, what opportunities does Ghana’s emerging EV industry create for local companies and international investors?

Our number one priority is to educate business and government fleets about electric vehicles, providing them with the awareness and familiarity they need. At present, the vast majority of people we meet have never driven an EV, which makes their positive reactions all the more encouraging. Whether experiencing the Radar RD6 or our Panda Mini, customers consistently share enthusiastic feedback.

Beyond education, our focus is on developing the market and localising the industry. I have spent a long career in the global auto industry, working in engineering, product development, marketing, and executive roles at Ford, BMW, and GM. When you break down a vehicle into its components, an internal combustion engine model contains around 30,000 parts. By contrast, an electric vehicle’s propulsion system is less complex, with approximately 20,000 parts. Each of these components must be designed, engineered, tested, and sourced. This is why component manufacturing, wherever it takes place, typically generates four to five times more jobs than vehicle assembly.

Entering the component supply chain is one of the most effective ways for a region, country, or market to drive economic development, job creation, and skills transfer. This forms part of our long-term vision. As the market develops and we achieve significant sales of electric vehicles in Ghana and across West Africa, we will evaluate which aspects of the component and value chain are most appropriate to localise. This assessment will consider cost benefits, required investment, available skills, and the overall impact. We see this as a major opportunity ahead of us as the market continues to develop.

Looking ahead over the next three to five years, beyond your focus on education, are there additional goals or accomplishments you hope to achieve within the company?

Developing the market is central to our efforts, and businesses are beginning to recognise this. For example, I spend a lot of time in Accra, and one story I often share is from this past Easter. Around Good Friday through to Easter and into the early part of the following week, traffic levels were noticeably reduced as many people had travelled out of the city to visit family. What struck me was not only the lighter traffic but also how much cleaner the air became during that period. In addition to the cost and performance benefits that business and government fleets can achieve, the environmental impact is equally important.

For instance, if a fleet converts just 10% of its vehicles to our electric models, the impact on budgets and income statements becomes clear through reduced transportation costs. Coupled with the wider adoption of electric vehicles and fewer petrol and diesel vehicles on the road, these changes lead to cleaner air and lower pollution levels, similar to what I observed in Accra during Easter, when traffic eased and the air quality noticeably improved.

We would like to see this happen in the near term. As more business and government fleets adopt electric vehicles, even by converting just 10% of their fleet, we are confident they will want to expand further. It is similar to the early days of mobile phones: once you had one, you wanted another, and soon your colleagues wanted one too.

With the Panda Mini, we believe almost any business can benefit from having three of those, and the cost is not prohibitive. The RV6, our fully electric pickup, can replace traditional pickups and even luxury vehicles because it is that nice on the inside. It also introduces mobile power as an industry first, offering 15 kilowatts of capacity to plug in wherever you are. This is not only unique in Ghana but across the global automotive industry. No other vehicle in the world provides 15 kilowatts of mobile power; some offer far less, but none match this capability.

In the near term, we would like to see business and government fleets introduce a few electric vehicles into their operations. Once they recognise the savings achieved and realise that they can increase efficiency while reducing costs, we are confident they will expand their fleets further. This will only strengthen the business case for localisation.

In situations where time is limited and the vehicle’s battery is low, how long does it typically take to charge an electric car sufficiently to continue with planned travel?

It is the same question as asking how long it takes to charge a mobile phone. The answer depends on when you last charged it and how much you have used it. People are often reluctant to change, but if we consider our behaviour, charging becomes a habit. For example, I charge my mobile phone every night because I use it heavily.

In the same way, if we get into the habit of plugging in a Panda Mini or an RD6 each night, whether into a standard Ghanaian outlet or the level two charger we provide, you will have a full battery every morning when you leave. Through a standard outlet, the vehicle can be topped up overnight. We do not recommend draining the battery completely, as you may need to leave unexpectedly. With the level two charger, a full charge takes only a matter of hours. Charging time depends on usage. For example, a typical Ghanaian business driving fewer than 50 kilometres per day could easily achieve a full battery in just a few hours by topping up each night.

Battery life is another area where the market could benefit from greater understanding. The propulsion battery, or high-voltage battery that powers the motors, is designed to last for the full lifespan of the vehicle. Replacing a high-voltage EV battery is about as uncommon as replacing the engine in a conventional car. Most vehicles operate throughout their first life, and often into a second life as used vehicles, with the same engine and transmission. In the same way, it is rare to need to replace a high-voltage battery, as they are engineered to last the life of the vehicle.


Can you explain the factors influencing the range of electric vehicles, particularly in relation to the Panda Mini and RD6, and discuss how battery size affects cost and efficiency?

The Panda Mini has a range of 200 kilometres, while the RD6 offers 424 kilometres. Range is primarily determined by three factors: the size of the battery, the efficiency of the motor, and the size of the vehicle.

One reason the Panda Mini is so cost-effective and offers high value is that it uses a smaller battery. While it is technically possible to design a vehicle with a range of 1,000 kilometres, this would require carrying an impractically large number of batteries, which is neither efficient nor enjoyable. In practice, the ability to charge at the office, at a vehicle depot, or at home makes 200 kilometres in a spacious, high-value vehicle like the Panda Mini an excellent balance between range, size, and cost.
If the battery in the Panda Mini were made larger, the cost and weight would increase, and the interior space could be reduced. As a result, the vehicle would become less appealing in other respects.

The battery in the Panda Mini is 17 kilowatt hours, while the RD6 electric pickup truck has a 74 kilowatt-hour battery, nearly five times larger. As a result, it takes longer to charge, just as a larger swimming pool takes longer to fill than a small bathtub. From a manufacturing standpoint, the most expensive component of an electric vehicle is the battery, which accounts for around 50% of production costs. Battery costs have been falling, which is why EV prices have also declined. However, fitting a vehicle with an excessively large battery increases both cost and weight, making it less accessible.

The Panda Mini is currently the most affordable EV on the market. From a physics perspective, kinetic energy is given by . As mass increases, the energy required to move the vehicle, whether electric, petrol, or diesel, also rises. This is why we aim to strike the right balance between battery size, cost, and efficiency.

You mentioned that your background is in engineering. What inspired you to pursue this particular path, especially here in Ghana? Is it driven by personal passion or a broader vision?

I believe there is a strong market opportunity in Ghana. One of the country’s key advantages is not only the domestic demand, particularly around Accra, but also Ghana’s central position within the wider West African automotive market. I have been visiting Ghana for many years and have grown to appreciate it greatly. Ghanaians are well educated, forward-thinking, and quick to adopt new technologies. The workforce is highly skilled and will readily recognise the value of transitioning from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles.

We see both a market opportunity and a chance to localise the industry, which will further reduce vehicle costs. Lean manufacturing principles show that producing vehicles close to the market lowers transportation and logistics expenses, reduces import duties, and minimises supply chain risks.

For all of these reasons, and because I genuinely enjoy being in Ghana, we are clear about why we are focusing our efforts here. Throughout my career in the global automotive industry, I have undertaken similar work, and I believe this market deserves greater attention. There is a significant opportunity not only for EV House and our parent company, Accra EV, but also for other entrepreneurs in the years ahead.

Before we conclude, is there anything you’d like to add to wrap up the interview?

I believe that as business and government fleets begin to adopt these vehicles, they will quickly recognise the benefits and seek to expand further. At EV House, we are committed to addressing the specific needs of business and government fleets, and we are more than traders. We are invested in developing the market because we have a long-term vision for building a local EV industry in Ghana. When you purchase one of our vehicles, you are not only acquiring an EV that will support your business, but you are also making an early investment in the growth of the industry in Ghana and across West Africa.