Kenya's Initiative to Shift 'Boda-Boda' Motorcycle Taxis to Electric Power

Moses Lugalia, a 27-year-old motorbike taxi driver in Kenya, has embraced the country's electric vehicle revolution by switching from a petrol motorbike to an electric one. One of the main reasons behind this decision was the promise of saving money as fuel prices continue to rise. In Kenya, motorbike taxis, also known as "boda-bodas," are popular due to their affordability and ability to navigate through heavy traffic. Lugalia has been in the business for five years and used to spend around $6 per day on fuel for his petrol bike. Since switching to an electric bike, his daily expenses have dropped to around $1.42. He now swaps the electric bike's battery once or twice a day at one of the growing number of swap stations in Nairobi, enabling him to work a full day on a single charge. Lugalia firmly believes that electric is the future in Kenya. The government shares this view and recently launched a national "e-mobility" program to promote green transport and reduce air pollution. It hopes that the lower running costs of electric bikes will encourage other boda-boda drivers, the majority of whom still use petrol or diesel, to make the switch. Kenya aims to have over 200,000 electric bikes on the road by the end of 2024. So far, only about 2,000 boda-boda drivers have transitioned to electric bikes. The country's reliance on renewable energy sources, such as hydro, solar, geothermal, and wind, makes it an ideal market for electric motorbikes. Start-ups in Kenya have capitalized on this by manufacturing and selling electric motorcycles, often offering affordable loans to help boda-boda drivers purchase their own vehicles. However, the limited electric vehicle infrastructure outside of Nairobi remains a challenge. Despite this, the government believes that the private sector's involvement will be crucial in expanding infrastructure throughout the country. Various companies have already announced plans to produce and distribute thousands of electric motorcycles and set up battery-charging and swapping stations across Kenya. The government hopes that a future shift to electric transport will eventually lead to the phasing out of traditional boda-bodas.