ROAM Launches First Electric Mass- Transit Bus in Africa

ROAM SHARED news of its mass transit bus in a press release. According to the company, the Rapid bus features priority seats for the elderly and people with limited mobility, extended legroom, and designated areas for wheelchairs, in addition to a low-fl oor entry for easier commuter access.

The company stated that in addition to providing countries like Kenya with zero-emission mobility solutions, it hopes the Rapid electric bus can create a new perception of public transport vehicles by providing a solution that is “inclusive, modern, effi cient, and sustainable.”

The solution Roam brings to the Kenyan market enables us to move people safely, comfortably and timely in both a sustainable and aff ordable way. The bus is designed not only to increase comforts and lower cost but more importantly focuses on the well-being of the population through reduced noise pollution and eliminating local emissions, improving air quality for the cities across Africa.

By going electric, operational costs can be lowered by up to 50%, enabling higher margins for the operator but also lower cost for the commuters. to ensure the electric buses are assembled locally, but also partly manufactured in the region. This can provide more local jobs and help to tackle the rising unemployment rate in Kenya. https://electrek.co/2022/08/23/roam-fi rst-electricmass-transit-bus-africa/

batteries for optimum performance. Like Roam, it has now moved into assembling a range of electric scooters and motorcycles at its production plant in Nairobi.

Jua Bike has invested in the business of renting out e-motorcycles and e-trikes, and after-market servicing in its mission of making “electric bikes aff ordable and accessible to everyone through subscription.”

While estimates show that $2 billion is needed to convert all petrol motorbikes in Kenya to electric, the current eff orts are a step in the right direction with the country leading the e-mobility charge in Africa. There are also many e-vehicle startups – such as BasiGo, Nopea Ride, EVM Africa, Solar Impulse, Caetano, and Agilitee Africa.

However, even with the government’s plan to increase EV ownership of all vehicles to 5% by 2025, there is an urgent need for more investments in electric charging stations with Nairobi having only seven stations. https://qz.com/electric-bikes-are-now-moreattractive-to-kenyans-1849478082 Image credit: https://electrek.co/2022/07/20/ roam-electric-motorcycle/