There are a number of thrilling tasks taking form in Kenya’s electrical mobility and clear cooking sectors. On the electrical mobility facet of issues, the electrical bike sector is growing fairly properly and has been one of many key focus areas for a lot of startups, together with the electrical bus sector.

One of many gamers that has been main the cost to get Kenya’s electrical bike going electrical is Ecobodaa. Ecobodaa not too long ago launched the most recent model of its electrical bike, the Umeme 3000. Here’s a abstract of the brand new Umeme 3000 electrical bike’s specs:

Battery

Battery Capability: 3.24 kWh

Cost time: Charging time: 4.5 hours (200-240V AC)

Chemistry: Lithium-ion NMC excessive grade cells

Cycles: 1000 at 100% SoC, 1500 at 80% SoC (4 years of every day use)

Swappable: Sure, the Umeme 3000 has slots for two x 3.24 kWh battery packs

Vary: 80 km (Avg. pace of 55kph with passenger — 90kg), Twin battery vary: 160km

Battery pack weight: 20kg per pack

Ecobodaa’s battery administration methods additionally incorporate PAYGO performance. The battery can solely be used upon buy of tokens in addition to real-time monitoring of battery well being by means of IoT.

Motor

Score: 3 kW mid-drive motor (with chain)

Ingress Safety: IP67 Waterproof

Working Temperature: As much as 150 levels Celsius

Effectivity: 92% effectivity

Prime Pace: 120kph (programmable as much as 150kph)

There may be additionally a number of exercise on the cleaner cooking facet as many individuals in Kenya nonetheless depend on firewood and charcoal for cooking and there’s an pressing have to transition to cleaner cooking fuels. One of many firms that’s working to offer a cleaner cooking resolution is Ecosafi. Ecosafi has 5 shops in Nairobi’s low earnings settlements and is increasing quickly. In an instance of the superior synergies that may assist propel Kenya’s clear power sector, Ecobodaa has partnered with Ecosafi for final mile deliveries of Ecosafi’s cooking pellets.

The partnership is beginning with 5 Ecobodaas, 1 for every Ecosafi every outlet, deployed for last-mile supply of unpolluted cooking pellets to clients. Ecosafi piloted a number of electrical bikes earlier than deciding on Ecobodaa

“This partnership goes to point out that Ecobodaa has constructed a product that addresses the market wants when it comes to high quality and performance,” says Ecobodaa CEO Kimosop Chepkoit.

Ecobodaa retains possession of the batteries and earns a month-to-month subscription payment and in flip is accountable for battery upkeep. This can be a mannequin that helps to decrease the limitations to entry for corporations trying to purchase electrical bikes. The battery stays the costliest part of electrical bikes and this month-to-month subscription mannequin permits corporations to get these electrical bikes at costs near parity with equal ICE bikes. Nonetheless, electrical bikes have the benefit of decrease operational prices.

A 2015 research by the Power Regulatory Fee (ERC, now known as the Power and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, or EPRA) on the World Gas Economic system Initiative Research in Kenya (GFEI), cites that emissions from bikes of lower than 150 cc are about 46.5 g/km of CO2. The typical annual distance lined by bikes is round 17,800 km. With the variety of ICE bikes offered in Kenya rising quickly, a speedy transition to electrical is required to scale back these tailpipe emissions. With Kenya’s grid principally powered by renewables equivalent to wind, geothermal, hydro, and a few utility-scale photo voltaic, these electrical bikes shall be powered by some very clear electrical energy.

Photos courtesy of Ecosafi and Ecobodaa