Electric motorcycle company Roam has announced plans to build charging points across Kenya through partnerships with individuals in strategic places. Borrowing a leaf from the thousands of single-machine petrol filling points spread across the country, Roam Electric is bringing the game to our doorsteps.
The Roam Points will be based on a revenue sharing model where the property owner provides space (at least 2m x 2m), and electricity while the motorcycle company builds and maintains the infrastructure.
Roam riders can then recharge their batteries at any of the points. This model is likely to spur uptake of Roam motorcycles in areas outside metropolitan spaces, especially the countryside where access to electricity at home for some riders would’ve been a challenge.
Since Roam provides its riders with chargers, they will not have to rethink longer journeys which is the case now because of lack of assured recharging infrastructure in their final destinations.
It is not clear whether riders who own other brands of electric motorcycles will be welcome at the new charging stations. However, the company in its call for partnerships hinted at the stations serving ‘all light electric vehicles’.
“We have officially opened the opportunity for businesses, property owners, and landholders to host a Roam Point, Kenya’s first fast-charging infrastructure for all light electric vehicles.”
Roam has also not divulged how the revenue will be shared, although the recharge station host will be paid on a monthly basis.
With the new Roam Points, riders can ride everywhere and charge anywhere, accessing 24/7 fast charging through a seamless self-service system.
Access to charging infrastructure has been a key concern keeping many away from taking up electric vehicles in Kenya. Most brands still insist on using their own infrastructure, with some owning battery swap stations that can barely serve the population.
Riders have complained about having to do with half-charged batteries because it is becoming difficult everyday to get fully recharged batteries, even after spending hours on long queues hence lost time and revenues.
However, some brands like Ampersand have now opened up their infrastructure to be brand agnostic, giving a glimpse of how the future may turn out to be for electric vehicles.
More and more electric vehicle types and brands especially from China are still getting into the market with focus on two and three wheelers. A ready and agnostic recharging infrastructure may just make things easier for everyone.
