Earlier today, Bolt announced a strategic partnership with Roam Electric, Ampersand and M-Kopa that will see the addition of electric motorcycles to its platform. Bolt says this is part of its long term sustainability strategy. Riders can now request electric boda bodas (motorcycles) which make less noise and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The company says it has plans to have 1000 electric bikes on its platform by the end of the year and over 5000 in the next 2 years. This is a bold and ambitious goal for the company but the partnership it has forged can help it achieve this.
With growing demand for eco-friendly transportation, Bolt is positioning itself as the platform of choice for such customers. Data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) there were 2,079 electric vehicles (including two-wheelers) in Kenya as of June 2023. This number is expected to go up with the fluctuating fuel prices and some buyers looking for eco-friendly transportation options.
Roam Electric and Ampersand
Ampersand and Roam Electric are the manufacturers of electric motorcycles while M-Kopa will provide buyers with options to buy and finance the motorcycles. Roam Electric, headquartered in Kenya, has been in operation since 2017 as a manufacturer of electric motorcycles, electric buses, Charging Infrastructure etc. Ampersand on the other hand is based in Kigali and has been manufacturing commercial-use electric motorcycles since 2016.
Bolt, Ampersand, M-Kopa and Roam Electric say electric bikes can help lower operational costs by up to 40%. For boda boda riders who are in business, this is an effective way to lower costs and maximize revenue. According to Josh Whale, Founder & CEO Ampersand, the average boda boda rider spends about ksh 1,000 on fuel and Ksh 150 on maintenance every day. Reducing the fuel expense by up to 40% will mean the rider can take home more money every single day.
Charging infrastructure Still limited
One of the biggest issues so far with electric bikes is the availability of charging infrastructure. Roam Electric provides buyers with a charging cable which they can use to charge their batteries using any electric outlet across the country. The company also has 5 charging hubs in Nairobi at the moment.
Ampersand on the other hand has 15 charging/battery swapping stations found in some Total petrol stations. These are spread across Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Machakos. The company says it plans to have 25 stations by the end of the year. The batteries can also be charged at home.
The interesting difference between Ampersand and Roam Electric is that with the former, you do not own the battery but the latter has an option for you to buy the battery. Battery Swapping makes sense for those riding for commercial purposes as it takes about two minutes, around the same time it would take to fuel.
Why M-Kopa
M-Kopa is Kenya’s largest financier of electric motorbikes having already financed approximately two-thirds of the electric bikes on Kenya’s roads. Through this collaboration, Bolt will leverage M-Kopa’s fintech platform to make electric motorbike ownership affordable. By subsidising the cost of the bike, Bolt enables drivers to choose an electric motorbike at a price equal to or below that of a comparable petrol alternative. Riders on the Bolt platform will be able to access an electric bike for as low as Ksh 10,000- 15,000, through vehicle financing.
High Buying price
The biggest issues with electric motorcycles and vehicles is the buying price. For Roam Electric and Ampersand bikes, you are looking at an outright buying price of around ksh 240k – 250k. This is high but the two companies argue that riders can save a lot more on operational costs since they will not need to fuel and charging is much cheaper over time.
What They Said:
Caroline Wanjihia, Regional Director, RideHailing Operations, Africa & International Markets, said: “We are excited to introduce our electric bike fleet, in partnership with M-KOPA, as part of our ongoing efforts to support and empower our drivers. This marks a significant milestone in Bolt’s mission to provide sustainable and financially viable transportation solutions in Kenya.”
David Damberger, Managing Director – M-Kopa Mobility, added: “As the leading financier of electric motorbikes in Kenya, we’re committed to redefining mobility in Kenya through affordable financing solutions for electric motorbikes, particularly for the underbanked. Partnering with Bolt represents a significant leap towards this goal, enabling us to broaden our reach and support more customers in transitioning to sustainable transport solutions.”
Mikael Gånge, CCO, ROAM said: “Our at-home and portable charging options, extensive Roam Hub service network, and dual battery system empower delivery riders to increase efficiency without worrying about battery depletion.”
Josh Whale, Founder & CEO Ampersand E-Mobility Kenya added: “We thank Bolt and M-KOPA for their enthusiasm and confidence in our market-leading electric vehicles and energy network.”
Also Read: Kenya Launches its First Draft Electric Mobility Policy to Guide the Transition to EVs
