Tag Archive: E-motorcycles

  1. Rising fuel prices accelerating e-motorcycle sales in Kenya

    Comments Off on Rising fuel prices accelerating e-motorcycle sales in Kenya

    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.

  2. Africa’s transition to electric motorcycles

    Comments Off on Africa’s transition to electric motorcycles

    Source: The Pack Image credit: Ssenyondo Gabriel, Unsplash

    Motorcycles are considered a key pillar in the African urban mobility sector, with millions being used as taxi vehicles. In recent years, the market has become increasingly electrified, thanks to lower costs and several start-ups in the region offering convenient offerings for motorcycle taxi drivers.

    Many taxi drivers in the region have transitioned to using electric motorcycles due to them requiring less maintenance, lower operating costs (approximately 30–40% less), and playing a role in reducing urban pollution. Riders who have switched to electric versions have reportedly managed to increase their daily earnings, as they no longer have to spend a large amount of their income on petrol and repairs, as they had with their previous ICE models.

    African start-ups electrifying motorcycle taxis

    There has been an emergence of African start-ups aspiring to supply this market by innovating their own electric motorcycles, especially for taxi drivers and delivery fleets, with many integrating battery-swap infrastructure, direct fleet management and financing solutions into their vehicle offerings.

    E-motorcycle adoption by region

    Although e-motorcycle start-ups are emerging all over the continent, the epicentre of motorcycle electrification is East Africa, especially the countries of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, where there are millions of motorcycle taxis in daily operation. For example, in Kenya, e-motorcycles are experiencing rapid growth rates with a 15.3% market share recently reported, demonstrating how quickly the market is expanding.

    As motorcycle taxi riders travel large distances and depend on their bikes for income, they are very sensitive to fuel costs, which makes electric motorcycle adoption economically more attractive, as well as convenient with battery-swap networks and flexible financing models.

    It has been anticipated that although Africa’s electric motorcycle industry is still fairly new, its potential for growth is significant. As there are already millions of users and many e-motorbike start-ups all over the continent, increasing usage could reshape urban mobility and decrease fuel dependence in the region. Global manufacturers may also look to capitalise on supplying this promising market in the next decade.

  3. Ho Chi Minh City ride-hail motorbikes could shift to electric

    Comments Off on Ho Chi Minh City ride-hail motorbikes could shift to electric

    Source: VN Express

    A study by the Institute for Development Studies has found that 80% of the ride-hailing motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh City could be switched to electric, with the right policies and infrastructure upgrades in place.

    City authorities had outlined plans in May 2025 to convert 400,000 motorbikes used by ride-hailing service providers to electric by 2030; Le Thanh Hai, a director at the Institute for Development Studies, has advised this can be achieved with the right combination of financial support, the enhancement of charging and battery-swapping infrastructure, and exemptions from registration fees and VAT.

    Lower operating costs

    Hai said that riders of ride-hail motorbike companies Grab and Be are paying 70,000-100,000 Vietnamese Dong (€2.30-3.30) a day for fuel, according to 400 survey participants. In contrast, riders of Xanh SM electric motorcycles spend only 20,000 Vietnamese Dong (approximately €0.67) per day on charging. It is estimated that, after battery deterioration, charging costs and waiting time are deducted, electric motorcycle ride-hail riders can earn the equivalent of €33.26 per month more than their ICE-riding counterparts. This would enable riders to repay vehicle loans within 2-2.5 years.

    Infrastructure changes needed

    The current charging infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh City presents an obstacle. Most electric motorcycles available have charging times of 4-10 hours and ranges of 100-200 km, meaning drivers would typically need to charge at least once a day – and thus unable to earn income while doing so.

    Nguyen Huu Phuoc Nguyen, founder and CEO of electric scooter startup Selex Motors, said, “Energy infrastructure will no longer be a barrier if charging electric vehicles can be as fast as refueling gasoline.” Selex has developed a two-minute battery swapping service to help address this issue, with batteries compatible with other brands. The current 50 stations in Ho Chi Minh City are due to expand to 200 in 2026.

    Nguyen also highlighted a lack of standardized charging infrastructure, and urged city authorities to encourage businesses to expand shared charging and battery-swapping networks.

    Financial support models

    Hai’s research identified that financial barriers also have a part to play, as ride-hailing riders often have low and unstable incomes. The Institute for Development Studies has worked with banks on developing specific credit products and secured preferential commitments from companies in the electric motorcycle and distribution sector.

    Ho Chi Minh City has also proposed that the central government waive registration fees and VAT for new electric vehicles and their drivers for the first two years.

    Figures show that Vietnam’s transportation sector emits 32.9 million tons of CO2 equivalent annually, with Ho Chi Minh City contributing a substantial 13 million tons. The switch to electric ride-hailing motorcycles is part of the city’s green transportation plans.