Third world countries have started embracing electric motorbikes as they emit no emissions and therefore do not contribute to air pollution.
They also require less energy to operate compared to fuel-powered vehicles, additionally, these bikes often have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance.
In this article, WoK looks at companies that produce electric motorbikes in Kenya.
Ampersand
Ampersand Solar is an electric motorcycle producer operating in Kenya, Rwanda and Germany.
All Ampersand motorcycles and batteries are assembled on site in the aforementioned countries by their staff.
The company also has a unique battery swapping system allows users to access batteries anywhere within their network.
Ampersand partnered with TotalEnergies to launch an electric motorcycle battery swapping and charging stations in Kenya.
Opibus
Founded in 2017, Opibus works from Industrial Area, Nairobi to design, develop and build electric motorcycles.
Following its launch, the company was focused on the safari and tourism industry by converting off-road safari and game drive vehicles to electric.
Their electric motorbikes attracted the attention of the world’s most famous ride-hailing app, Uber.
The strategic partnership came off a successful pilot program with Uber using its proprietary electric motorcycles.
Roam
Roam was established in 2017 and aims to make electric mobility more accessible and affordable to users in Kenya and beyond.
As of July 2022, the company had 150 motorbikes on the road and is in the process of ramping up production to another 150 every week on a single assembly line.
The motorbike has a dual battery tailored for commercial usage such as carrying passengers or cargo.
Ecobodaa
Ecobodaa is an e-mobility startup providing affordable, connected electric motorcycles to riders in Nairobi on a lease-to-own payment plan.
In 2022, the company launched its next generation electric motorcycle dubbed, Umeme 3000.
Ecobodaa was founded in 2020 by Kimosop Chepkoit who had earlier used his savings to start an ICE motorcycle leasing firm in Nairobi, became fascinated with electric motorcycles.
He started inquiring how the market would respond to electric bikes, and using data acquired from his fleet of over 75 ICE motorcycles, he founded Ecobodaa and started working on an electric motorcycle for the local market.
ARC Ride
ARC Ride is a Kenyan manufacturer offering versatile range of electric vehicles including motorbikes, bicycles, mopeds and tuktuks.
The firm was established with a focus on providing safe and reliable transport and mobility services through electric vehicle solutions and a proprietary platform.
ARC Ride has since worked with various companies such as Sendy, Watu and Musashi Seimitsu.
STIMA
STIMA is a Kenyan battery swapping technology company.
The firm partnered with India’s leading electric motorcycle manufacturer One Electric, to deploy 3,000 rechargeable electric motorcycles in Kenya.
The partnership combines One Electric’s electric motorcycles with STIMA’s battery swapping stations that can be deployed at a large scale.
