Ampersand and CrossBoundary Energy rev up Kenya’s e-mobility transition with solar-powered charging and batteries for e-bikes
Nairobi, Kenya, 19 September 2024 – The sun could power your next ride on one of Ampersand’s e-bikes. CrossBoundary Energy and Ampersand are teaming up to power electric two-wheeler (E2W) motorbikes with solar energy at strategically located charging stations in Nairobi. Announced during Africa E-Mobility Week 2024, the pilot project will consist of 36 electric charging units and 150 lithium-ion batteries suitable for E2W vehicles, charged by a 37kWp solar PV system.
Ampersand, a leading EV energy tech company, currently operates nearly 1000 electric motorbikes across Kenya and 3000 in Rwanda, with ambitious growth plans for East Africa. In addition to Ampersand’s own network of swap stations in Nairobi, the company will partner with CrossBoundary Energy to pay for the renewable electricity used to charge some of its batteries at an affordable tariff, enabling it to scale more quickly and even more sustainably.
Two-wheelers are a popular and significant transportation segment in Africa, often used for taxis or delivery services. Due to widespread commercial use and comparable affordability to imported EV cars, E2Ws are projected to account for up to 70% of total EV sales in Africa by 2040. However, the high capital investment required to set up charging stations and the lack of charging infrastructure can hinder E2W adoption in Kenya. Together with Ampersand’s existing network of energy infrastructure for commercial electric motorbikes, CrossBoundary’s solution provides an off balance sheet option that can reduce operating costs for E2W providers.
Hezbon Mose, Kenya Country Director at Ampersand, said, “The availability of reliable, affordable charging infrastructure is essential to scaling our operations and meeting the growing demand for e-mobility in Kenya. With CrossBoundary Energy’s solution, we are confident we can expand faster and more efficiently, bringing our e-bikes to more riders across Kenya and East Africa. By leveraging solar power this expansion will be even more sustainable, cutting carbon emissions faster.”
CrossBoundary Energy’s expertise in offering off-balance sheet distributed energy solutions that reduce operational costs is tailor-made for the expansion of the e-mobility sector in the region.
Tombo Banda, Managing Director and Head of CrossBoundary’s Innovation Lab said, “This launch is exciting for many reasons – firstly, it marks the start of CrossBoundary Energy’s foray into the e-mobility sector, in which we hope to play the same role we have played for C&I solar and mini-grids – accelerating private investment and driving growth. Secondly, because we are working with a partner with a strong track record and ambitious plans for East Africa, we hope to play an important part in supporting Ampersand to achieve their plans to scale.”
According to the International Energy Agency, road transportation accounts for about one-sixth of global greenhouse gas emissions–a carbon footprint expected to grow 53% as an estimated 360 million E2W take to the roads by 2035. Distributed energy solutions can help mitigate this impact by providing an affordable pathway to powering Africa’s transport future while reducing emissions and creating more sustainable urban economies.
