Ghanaian Students Ignite EV Revolution with “Nimde3 Hyiren” Regenerative Vehicle

Ghanaian Students Ignite EV Revolution with “Nimde3 Hyiren” Regenerative Vehicle

In a landmark achievement for West African engineering, three final-year students have unveiled a homegrown electric vehicle (EV) capable of recharging itself while in motion. The five-seater vehicle, dubbed the Nimde3 Hyiren REV, represents a bold leap toward sustainable mobility and a direct answer to the unique energy challenges of the Ghanaian landscape.

The project, developed over a remarkably short six-month period, was the capstone of the students’ Bachelor of Technology (BTec) in Automotive Engineering. Under the expert guidance of Professor Prince Owusu-Ansah, Head of the Automotive and Agricultural Mechanisation Department, the team transformed a theoretical concept into a high-performance reality.

Breaking the “Range Anxiety” Barrier

The standout feature of the Nimde3 Hyiren REV is its innovative regenerative charging system. While conventional electric vehicles often leave drivers tethered to stationary charging points, this local innovation utilizes a generator system that activates whenever the vehicle is in motion.

“The vehicle’s key feature is its regenerative braking system,” explained Professor Owusu-Ansah. “As the driver reduces speed or applies the brakes, the generator automatically charges the battery.”

This continuous charging loop is designed to prevent the battery from running low during long-distance travel. To demonstrate its efficiency, the Professor noted that the vehicle can comfortably complete a round trip from Kumasi to Konongo without needing a single stop at an external charging station-a feat that sets it apart from many entry-level EVs on the global market.

A 70th Anniversary Milestone

The official unveiling took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a grand durbar celebrating the university’s 70th anniversary. The event served as a showcase of the institution’s evolution from a traditional technical school to a hub of modern industrial innovation.

Addressing the crowd, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Dwomoh, emphasized that the university is not merely following global trends but actively refining them. “We have advanced existing electric vehicle concepts by introducing regenerative capabilities,” he stated, adding that the Nimde3 Hyiren REV is a testament to the power of collaboration between academia and industry.

The REV is no slouch in performance, either, boasting a top speed of 150 kilometres per hour, proving that eco-friendly transit doesn’t have to sacrifice speed or utility.

Beyond the Vehicle: A Culture of Innovation

The Nimde3 Hyiren REV is just the tip of the iceberg for the university’s engineering faculty. During the ceremony, Professor Dwomoh highlighted a diverse portfolio of locally developed solutions, including:

• Aero-tech: Custom-built drones and air quality monitors.

• Agro-industry: Multi-purpose food dryers, fish smokers, and RC feeders.

• Infrastructure: Mini-cement mixers and electronic food warmers.

“This is what we can achieve if academia and industry come together,” the Vice-Chancellor remarked, calling on the government and private sector to invest in the next phase of their journey: a deep dive into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sustainable engineering.

Open for Business

The university has made it clear that this is not just a research prototype. Professor Owusu-Ansah confirmed that the faculty is ready to scale up production to include larger vehicles and is currently open to orders.

“If anyone needs one and makes payment, it will be ready in six months,” he promised. With a focus on refining speed and battery efficiency, the team is determined to prove that the future of African transport isn’t just imported-it’s built from scratch right here at home.

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Source: Graphic Online