Kenyans living on a shoestring can now travel from Nairobi to Mombasa at a cost of just Ksh340 thanks to a revolutionary electric motorbike rolled out countrywide.
While making a presentation at the Kenya Power Expo 2022, Electric Motorcycles CEO unveiled the company's flagship electric motorbikes that are fuel-efficient and more advantageous than the traditional fuel-dependent type.
He noted that the motorcycle's full charge can last its user for 100 kilometers at a cost of just Ksh70. To cover the same distance, petrol motorcycles gobble 2.5litres that cost Ksh390.
To cover the 485-kilometre distance between Nairobi and Mombasa, a motorist will only need Ksh340 while using an electric motorbike as opposed to Ksh1890 on the alternative.
So far, the company has manufactured 200 units of the electric motorbike but projects that the number will expand to 5,000 by the end of the year. By the close of 2023, the company aims to manufacture 30,000 units.
The motorcycle is valued at Ksh180,000 - slightly more than the petrol version which retails at Ksh150,000.
"The motorbike's price is closer to the normal one but it is slightly on the higher side. This motorcycle, however, has more advantages when it comes to running costs.
"For instance, when you charge the battery, it will cost you around Ksh70 but you can travel for 100kms," he stated.
To curb cases of the motorbikes running out of power mid-journey, the company has built the bikes to accommodate two batteries.
"There are options we have slots for two batteries where you can swap. When the battery runs out mid-journey, the other picks up immediately," he added.
Since March 2021, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicated that the East African region's switch to electric motorbikes had significantly reduced environmental pollution.
Te report further indicated that switching to electric saves the global motorbike operators a combined sum of Ksh41 trillion in fuel costs.
