Startup Brightskies and Alexandria University have received EGP 5 mn in funding from the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) to locally develop technology used in electric buses, ITIDA said in a statement (pdf). Dubbed the “Zeus” project, the funding will see Brightskies collaborate with the university over the next 18 months to design and develop a prototype powertrain system that can be upscaled for use in buses. This would be the first electrical powertrain system created in Egypt.

Who will do what? Brightskies will develop an automotive-grade battery with a range of up to 300 km on a single charge for a 52-passenger electric public bus with a top speed of 90 km per hour. This is in addition to “all the powertrain electronics and control units, which are required to interface with the battery and the electrical motor with vehicle network and sensors,” the statement said. Meanwhile, Alexandria University will design the chassis for the buses as well as convert their mechanical engineering systems such as brakes to be compatible with the new system.

ALSO ON PLANET STARTUP- The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Egyptian Fintech Association will team up (pdf) to support fintech entrepreneurs by conducting research and market analysis, and supporting knowledge-sharing. You can check out the association’s website here.