play_arrow

keyboard_arrow_right

Listeners:

Top listeners:

skip_previous skip_next
00:00 00:00
playlist_play chevron_left
volume_up
Go to album
  • cover play_arrow

    LISTEN NOW: JafriQ Radio Live On Jafriq Radio

Africa

Africa: Kenya’s Roam E-Motorcycle Completes 6,000 Km Kenya-S. Africa Solar Journey

todayOctober 16, 2024 1

Background
share close

[ad_1]

Nairobi — Roam Air, an African-made electric motorcycle, has completed a 6,000-kilometer solar-powered journey from Nairobi, Kenya, to Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The expedition highlights African ingenuity and sustainable innovation, with a focus on Kenya’s leadership in clean mobility.

This journey was a collaborative effort between Roam, a pioneering African electric mobility company, and Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Faculty of Engineering, with support from key partners such as SANEDI, Scatec, Charlie’s Travel, and Throttle Pitstop.

Beginning on September 29, 2024, Roam Air traversed Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana, finally arriving in Stellenbosch on the morning of October 16. As part of the initiative, two Roam Air motorcycles were donated to Stellenbosch University’s Electric Mobility Lab to advance research on sustainable transport solutions tailored for Africa.

Accompanied by two solar-powered support vehicles, the journey coincided with South Africa’s Transport Month, putting Roam Air’s drivetrain, portable dual batteries, and solar recharging capabilities to the test in real-world conditions.

Throughout the expedition, the motorcycle’s batteries were charged solely with solar energy, demonstrating the feasibility of clean energy for long-distance travel in Africa.

On the final leg, Roam Air covered 1,000 kilometers in under 18 hours, traveling from Kimberley to Africa’s southernmost point, Cape Agulhas.

“This ambitious journey marks a significant step in proving the potential of sustainable electric mobility across sub-Saharan Africa,” said Professor Thinus Booysen, founder of the Electric Mobility Lab at Stellenbosch University.

“Despite weather challenges and technical obstacles, the determination of our team and the resilience of Roam Air showcased the power of innovation and collaboration.”

Roam Air, developed in Nairobi, is specifically designed for the varied African terrain. The journey also set a new record, with the motorcycle covering 113 kilometers on a single battery charge.

The team’s route took them through some of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes, including the Victoria Falls and Chobe River, where they camped alongside wildlife, marveling at the continent’s natural beauty.

Roam’s Product Owner, Masa Kituyi, who participated in the journey as a rider, alongside Stephan Lacock, expressed the significance of the accomplishment.