Source: Africa News Image credit: Nathanael Desmeules, Unsplash

The conflict in the Middle East has caused fuel prices to surge globally, driving an increase in sales for electric motorcycles in Pakistan, and more recently, it has been reported that thousands of riders in Kenya are switching to electric two-wheelers.

It has been estimated that in recent months, the sales of electric motorcycles in Kenya has increased by over 40%. The motorcycle market in Kenya is huge, with many citizens depending on the two-wheeled vehicles for their livelihood, to work as delivery drivers or motorcycle taxi drivers.

With rising fuel costs becoming increasingly evident, the beneficial savings of switching to an electric version have become the obvious choice to many riders, leading them to save thousands of Kenyan shillings each week, thanks to lower operating costs. There are also quick battery-swapping systems in Kenya, which optimise easy and convenient usage for drivers.

Industry manufacturers have been responding to the rapid demand rates by increasing their production, with one Nairobi facility reportedly producing hundreds of motorcycles each day.

Benefits of electric mobility in Kenya

As well as offering greater affordability, the transition to electric transportation gives Kenya improved energy security, showing the benefits of using its own domestic energy resources.

In contrast to petrol, which is imported, 93% of Kenya’s electricity is from local renewable energy sources, which includes geothermal, hydroelectric, solar and wind power.

Electric motorcycle growth in Africa

The shift to electric mobility is greater in Africa in countries and regions where motorcycles are used as essential vehicles for work purposes, rather than recreational use.

Government assistance is also helping drive growth; for example, Rwanda has restricted the use of non-electric motorcycles in areas of its capital, and in Uganda, the government is encouraging a rapid shift to electric two-wheelers.