Several startups have set out to providw a new avenue for motorcycle taxi riders to lower their operating costs, increase their earnings, and ultimately build some savings by switching to electric motorcycles.
Motorcycle taxis are the most preferred mode of last-mile connectivity in East Africa. Unfortunately, motorcycle taxis in Africa’s urban cities are one of the main sources of pollution and chaos on the roads. By building a product that reduces the rider’s expenses in terms of maintenance, fueling, and asset acquisition of the motorcycle taxis, Ecobodaa hopes to build a more resilient and sustainable urban mobility solution.
Rwanda-based Ampersand wants to help all these motorcycle riders switch to electric and help them save money and the environment at the same time. Ampersand’s CEO Josh Whale gives us an update on Ampersand’s progress in Rwanda:
The company’s mobility products are built from recycled and upcycled materials. Up to 90% of the materials used are sourced locally, with only the electric motors imported from China. They assemble their battery packs using the standard 18650 cells recovered from old laptops, which allows them to lower the costs of their products significantly to levels that are more affordable for their target market.
We just love hearing about EV conversions. This is an industry that promises to play a major role in accelerating the transition to electromobility. At the right scale and when applied to the right segments best fit for the target markets, what was once a niche product for collectors’ items such as restored classic cars and a badge of honor for a merry band of hobbyists could be a game changer. EV conversions will allow a broader consumer base to afford decent electric vehicles.
We continue our series on the importance of accelerating EV adoption to reduce CO2 emissions. This time we take a look at the impact of motorcycles.
I do not need to feel guilty about contributing to global warming when my grandchildren turn on the TV to watch cartoons. This is because I live in rural, western Kenya, where 87% of the electricity is from renewal sources — the nirvana of Green Deal activists.
