Rider Completes A 900-Kilometer Electric Motorcycle Trip Across Kenya Using Only A Portable Charger – CleanTechnica

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A boda boda rider traveled over 900 kilometers from Malaba, on Kenya’s western border with Uganda, to Mombasa, on the southern coast of Kenya, on the ROAM Air electric motorcycle, using only a portable charger.

We have been covering developments in the electric motorcycle sector in a number of African countries for over 6 years now. During that period, many startups went through several phases, from early pilots to early commercialization of their products. A number of them are now ramping up production of their electric motorcycles in several countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. The motorcycle segment has gotten a lot of attention as one of the lowest hanging fruits for electrification. There are over 27 million ICE motorbikes registered across Africa, with around 80% of them used in the motorcycle taxi industry. This presents a large addressable market for players in the sector.

In line with traditional customer behavior, targeting predominantly motorcycle taxi riders who are always on the go, a lot of these startups have opted to incorporate motorcycle designs featuring one or two removable batteries. Their business models then coupled these removable batteries with a battery swapping network where riders can swap a battery that has low state of charger for a fully charged one in a matter of seconds. Most firms retain ownership of the batteries, which then lowers the cost of the motorcycle. This places the capital requirements to roll out sufficient battery charging and swapping infrastructure in the hands of the motorcycle companies. This kind of business can be quite capital intensive. Some feel that without large investments in the sector, these large capital requirements may slow down adoption of electric motorcycles.

Some motorcycle taxi riders I have spoken with in Kenya worry about the lack of battery swapping infrastructure, outside of the major cities like Nairobi and Mombasa. The riders feel this limits them to operating in Nairobi and Mombasa. Some riders also feel that they cannot take even trips outside these major centers on personal or holiday trips, as most batteries are linked to a swap center without the option of home charging.

ROAM, a pioneer in electric vehicle technology, creates innovative public transport solutions tailored to Africa. The company is also an Earthshot Prize finalist, and one of the world’s top 100 impact startups on the 2024 Impact/100 by Norrsken Foundation. ROAM has taken an interesting approach, as its electric motorcycles have slots for two removable batteries, and the company gives riders the option of owning the batteries or renting and then swapping at a ROAM HUB charging and swapping center. ROAM then issues customers with a portable charger that can be used to charge the batteries using a standard wall outlet. That means riders can charge their motorcycle batteries anywhere, giving them increased flexibility. ROAM says it takes about 90 minutes to charge one battery using a standard 240V wall outlet.

To raise awareness and give comfort to motorcycle riders that they can go on trips outside the two big cities, ROAM partnered with a Kenyan boda boda rider to go on a 900-kilometer journey from Malaba to Mombasa using the Roam Air electric motorcycle. Joel Amboka, from Ruaraka sub-county in Nairobi, took the ambitious border to beach trip that demonstrated the potential of ROAM Air for everyday riders. His route passed through Kenya’s diverse landscapes, from Kenya’s furthest west to Eldoret and Nakuru, and ended at the sunlit beaches of Mombasa.

Here is a summary of the specs of the ROAM Air:

• Peak torque: 58 nm
• Top speed: 90 km/h
• Acceleration 0-60 km/h: 6.9 sec
• Range: 70 km per battery pack, depending on riding behavior
• Battery capacity: 2x 3.24 kWh
• Payload: 220 kg
• Weight: 129 kg single battery, 149 kg dual battery

Other key features:

• Removable dual battery solution
• Driving modes: Eco, Standard, Power, Sport, Reverse
• Increased carrying capacity on subframe
• State-of-the-art software and onboard telemetry
• Improved screen user interface with better visibility
• Storage compartment
• Fleet management functionality

ROAM says the ride showcased how ROAM Air’s portable charging feature, battery ownership, and dual-battery system are designed to empower boda boda riders to ride with no limits, as they only require a power outlet to charge the motorcycle battery, proving the motorcycle’s reliability, efficiency, and practicality for Kenya’s use-case.

According to Amboka, the ROAM Air performed seamlessly across all terrains, covering an average of 160 kilometers on a full charge of its dual batteries. He completed the journey with 6 different charging stops, including Eldoret, Nakuru, Nairobi, Machakos Town, Kibwezi, and Voi.

Amboka praised ROAM Air’s performance across Kenya’s diverse terrains, from rough backroads to busy highways. “The motorcycle handled every challenge with ease right from the hilly parts of the Rift Valley to the rough roads and also, I only spent KES 140 – 160 on charging the dual battery at each stop. I also noticed that mode 2 is the best speed to use in the Kenyan highway as it keeps the motorcycle stable and speedy on the road ” he said. “Before switching, I was spending KES 1200 on petrol daily for the same distance.”

ROAM adds that throughout the journey, Amboka connected with fellow boda boda riders at the stops where he was charging the batteries, sharing his story, and encouraging them to embrace electric mobility. His leadership as the Ruaraka sub-county boda boda chairperson and first-hand experience as a boda boda rider highlighted how ROAM Air is built specifically for their needs—offering affordability, environmental benefits, and reliability.

“This journey was a true test of ROAM Air’s performance,” said Lumbi Muchui, ROAM’s Technical Manager. “By covering over 900 kilometers with Joel, the ROAM Air proved that it is ready to power the daily lives of boda boda riders, whether in the city or the countryside. It’s not just a motorcycle — it’s a reliable partner for riders looking to earn more and spend less.”

This trip also emphasized the importance of empowering local riders, and it was evident in every stop that ROAM Air has been accepted in the whole country. Unlike ROAM’s previous solar-powered journey to South Africa, where engineers were at the helm, the Border-to-Beach ride focused on showcasing the everyday rider’s experience. Amboka’s success proved that electric motorcycles are a solution designed for Kenya’s hardworking boda boda community.

ROAM says the Border-to-Beach journey marks another milestone in the company’s mission to drive sustainable and affordable transport solutions in Africa. Following this success, the company plans to expand its reach across Kenya and beyond, bringing electric mobility closer to the riders who need it most. Amboka’s journey inspires a new vision for boda boda riders, proving that with ROAM Air, they can earn more, spend less, and embrace cleaner mobility.

ROAM now has a fleet of over 2,000 electric motorcycles in customers’ hands. ROAM is now ramping up production of its motorcycles and is partnering with ride-hailing firms as well, providing users of ride-hailing services the cool option of riding electric. ROAM is also active in the B2B market, partnering with several firms, such as Greenspoon and Syokinet solutions.

Images courtesy of ROAM