By Lungile Ntimba
Researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU) have joined forces with Roam, a technology-driven electric mobility company in Nairobi, to test the tailored electric motorcycle designed in Kenya for Africa.
Prof. Thinus Booysen, who is a founder of the Electric Mobility Lab, said the aim of the project was to inspire people in the society.
“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,” he said.
The sun powered electric motorcycle left Nairobi last week Sunday. It is expected to arrive at SU on 18 October, in time for the university’s Electric Mobility Day celebration.
It is the first time that an electric motorcycle developed in Africa will be covering approximately 6000km with only solar power as its energy source.
The motorcycle is being accompanied by two support vehicles, on which solar panels are transported to charge the motorcycle batteries.
Booysen highlighted that Roam had 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”, he said.
Researchers at the newly founded lab, which is situated in the Industrial Engineering Department, are focused on Africa’s unique modes of mobility, and specifically the infrastructure and operational changes required to make electromobility work.
This collaboration intends 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, who is a micro mobility 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.”
The motorcycle is being piloted by PhD candidate and co-researcher on the project, Stephan Lacock, as well as Kituyi.
“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,” said Lacock.
The university emphasised that their research team aimed to observe the performance of the drivetrain and swappable batteries, as well as the efficacy of the solar recharging solution.
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