Solar-powered bike makes 6 000km trip in show of African innovation
An electric motorcycle designed and built in Africa and powered only by the sun, started its journey in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday September 29, and is set to arrive in Stellenbosch on Friday October 18.
According to Stellenbosch University (SU), it is believed to be the first time that an electric motorcycle developed in Africa will be covering the approximately 6 000km with only solar power as an energy source.
The expedition is in part be to observe Transport Month in South Africa.
Researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at SU have joined forces with Roam, a technology-driven electric mobility company in Nairobi, Kenya, to test the Roam Air, a tailored electric motorcycle designed in Kenya for Africa. The motorcycle is used in urban settings.
Professor Thinus Booysen, founder of the Electric Mobility Lab, said the project aims to inspire people. “We want to educate and to create awareness to show that it can be done – and more importantly that it can be done with green energy.”
Accompanied by two support vehicles, the electric motorcycle is expected to arrive in Stellenbosch in time for the university’s Electric Mobility Day celebration.
Earlier, Professor Booysen said Roam donated two of its electric motorcycles to the Lab for research and testing. “We cannot think of a better way to kick-start our research collaboration than testing the motorcycle overland. To do this within the African fraternity of ingenuity is an enormous privilege.”
Researchers at the newly founded Electric Mobility Lab are spearheading research on electric mobility on the continent. They will focus on the region’s unique modes of mobility and the required infrastructure and operational adaptations.
Together, SU and Roam intend to develop and apply research on electric vehicles and the supporting ecosystem, including but not limited to the electric motorcycles, electric vehicle powertrains, local manufacturing, and digital pilots for planning for electric urban mobility.
Masa Kituyi, EM Product Owner at Roam, said: “This journey showcases Kenya’s ability to design and locally manufacture world-class electric vehicles for African conditions. It’s a testament to local innovation, leading the way in sustainable mobility solutions.”
PhD candidate and co-researcher on the project, Stephan Lacock, and Mr Kituyi, are riding the motorcycle.
Mr Lacock said: “The emphasis is not on the whether such a trip can be done as there has been other similar journeys in the world, but rather to showcase African ingenuity and collaboration between SU and Roam to overcome African conditions with green solar energy.”
Amongst others, the SU research team is quite interested in seeing the performance of the drivetrain and swappable batteries, as well as the efficacy of the solar recharging solution.
The Electric Mobility Lab at SU will be launched on Friday October 18, at Asara Wine Estate. A highlight of the event will be the handover of a retrofitted 65-seater bus to Golden Arrow Bus Service. The motorcycle making the trip from Kenya will also be officially handed over to the Electric Mobility Lab.
Government officials, funders, industry representatives and researchers are expected to attend the event. Demonstrations of various electric vehicles and charging infrastructure will form part of the event’s activities.
