Bolt, Africa’s leading on-demand mobility company, is revving Kenya’s urban mobility scene with electric motorbikes.
This partnership with M-KOPA, ROAM, and Ampersand offers drivers lower costs and a greener ride.
Caroline Wanjihia, Regional Director of ride-hailing, Africa, and International Markets at Bolt, said the company is committed to long-term sustainability.
Bolt Kenya aims to offer eco-friendly transportation options across the platform and achieve zero carbon emissions.
“We are increasing access to low-emission transportation by introducing electric bikes. This aligns perfectly with the government’s goals for e-mobility in Kenya,” says Caroline.
“Our collaboration with the government and partners like M-KOPA, ROAM, and Ampersand is crucial for making electric motorcycles accessible to drivers, supporting local communities, and enhancing the quality of life for all Kenyans.”
“We are committed to supporting drivers by launching 1,000 electric bikes by year-end and 5,000 in the next three years.”
The rollout of 5,000 electric motorbikes complements Kenya’s recently launched National E-mobility Policy, which aims to boost local production and assembly of electric vehicles (EVs).
These electric bikes offer drivers a cost-effective alternative to traditional vehicles. With zero tailpipe emissions and lower maintenance needs, drivers can maximize their earnings while minimizing expenses, making the switch to electric a smart financial and environmental choice.
According to Caroline, the launch of electric motorcycles expands Bolt’s offerings, taps into a growing market, and solidifies its leadership in sustainable urban mobility.
To make electric motorbike ownership more affordable for drivers, Bolt will partner with M-KOPA, a fintech company, to leverage their financial technology platform.
This collaboration aims to significantly reduce the upfront costs and ongoing expenses associated with electric motorbikes compared to petrol ones.
Benefits
- Reduced Ownership Costs: This approach is expected to lead to a 40% decrease in the cost of owning an electric motorbike compared to a gasoline motorbike.
- Competitive Purchase Price: By subsidizing the initial cost of the electric motorbike through financing, Bolt enables drivers to choose them at a price equal to or even lower than a comparable petrol motorbike.
- Lower Operating Expenses: Drivers can achieve up to a 75% reduction in operating costs due to lower energy consumption and reduced maintenance costs of electric motorbikes.
- Financing Options: Riders on the Bolt platform can access electric motorbikes for as low as KES 10,000-15,000 through a vehicle financing program facilitated by the partnership between M-KOPA, ROAM, and Ampersand.
“Partnering with Bolt represents a significant leap towards this goal, enabling us to broaden our reach and support more customers in transitioning to sustainable transport solutions,” said David Damberger, Managing Director – M-KOPA Mobility.
“We have made substantial inroads since launching our Mobility division in 2022, in collaboration with ROAM and Ampersand. With over 2 million motorbikes navigating Kenya’s roads, now is the time for us to extend our reach.”
As part of its launch strategy, Bolt will initially deploy the electric bikes in Nairobi, with plans for expansion in the near future.
The company seeks to create a sustainable and inclusive transportation ecosystem that benefits users and the environment through strategic partnerships and collaborations with local stakeholders.
