Roam Air Electric Motorcycle Embarks On Historic 6,000-KM Solar-Powered Trip From Nairobi To South Africa!

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October is transport month in South Africa. One of the highlights of the month is the Smarter Mobility Africa Summit currently being held in Midrand, near Johannesburg. The Smarter Mobility Africa Summit is an annual gathering that inspires and connects visionary mobility solution providers, thought leaders, key buyers, and decision-makers from business and government to make mobility smarter and more connected in Africa. It has a major focus on electric mobility and micromobility. Another exciting development during this transport month is the first ever 6000-kilometer solar-powered electric motorcycle trip from Nairobi, Kenya, to Stellenbosch, South Africa.

In partnership with Stellenbosch University, the Roam Air will travel 6,000 kilometers in an unprecedented showcase of African innovation and will be powered solely by solar energy. This expedition marks the first time an African-designed electric motorcycle will cover such a distance. The trip aims to test the performance of Roam Air’s drivetrain, portable charging dual batteries, as well as a portable solar recharging solution. The portable solar charging solution has a 14.3 kWh Balancell DC battery and 10x545W bifacial solar panels and will be transported in a support car.

The initiative is a partnership between Roam and Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Engineering. Researchers at the university’s Electric Mobility Lab are eager to see how Roam Air performs in long-distance conditions, far beyond its urban design. The project will also contribute valuable insights into the future of electric mobility in Africa. The Roam Air will travel through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana, before reaching Stellenbosch by October 18th. Two solar-powered vehicles will accompany the motorcycle, ensuring the Roam Air batteries are charged entirely by the sun throughout the expedition.

PhD candidate Stephan Lacock and Roam’s Product Owner Masa Kituyi will ride the motorcycle, capturing real-world performance data over diverse terrain. “This journey isn’t just about whether it can be done — it’s about showing that African innovation, powered by solar energy, can overcome the continent’s unique challenges,” said Lacock. Together with Roam, the research team will focus on testing the performance of Roam Air’s drivetrain, portable charging technology, and solar recharging systems. The motorcycle’s journey will provide a unique opportunity to assess its reliability and efficiency over an extended distance under various environmental conditions.

The Roam Air, built with the African terrain in mind, will demonstrate its versatility as it takes on this long-distance trip. “This journey showcases Kenya’s ability to design and locally manufacture world-class electric vehicles for African conditions. It’s a testament to local innovation, leading the way in sustainable mobility solutions,” remarked Masa Kituyi.

The collaboration between SU and Roam aims to advance electric mobility solutions that are not only sustainable, but also practical for African conditions. This expedition was made possible through the support of SANED via the LEAP-RE project, Throttle Pitstop, Scatec, Balancell, Voetspore, Tracks for Africa, Bush Lapa, and Charlie’s Travels, all of which contribute to the success of this journey. The project aims to highlight the potential of solar-powered transport in Africa and demonstrate that electric motorcycles can complete long-distance journeys with renewable energy.

The portable solar charging solution has a 14.3 kWh Balancell DC batter and 10x545W bifacial solar panels, and will be transported in a support car.

The journey will be documented and there are plans to produce a documentary showcasing the challenges and innovations that emerge to illustrate the potential for solar-powered mobility across the continent. It will culminate in Stellenbosch on October 18th, in time for the University’s Electric Mobility Day celebration. During the event, SU’s Electric Mobility Lab will officially launch at the Sustainability Institute, marking a significant step forward in the development of electric mobility in Africa. A highlight of the event will be the handover of a retrofitted 65-seater electric bus to Golden Arrow Bus Service, as well as the formal presentation of the Roam Air motorcycle to the Electric Mobility Lab.

Electric motorcycles are gaining traction in Kenya’s motorcycle taxi and on-demand delivery sectors. 2023 was the first time that Kenyan motorcycle sales saw a noticeable increase in the share of electric motorcycles in overall new registrations. In 2023, there were 70,691 motorcycles sold in Kenya, and 2,557 of these were electric. That means 3.6% of motorcycles sold in 2023 in Kenya were electric, which is almost 4%. Soon the market share will reach the critical 5% which is generally viewed as the tipping point indicating the start of mass adoption.