Summary
- Many startups in Africa are ramping up production of electric motorcycles in countries like Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya
- The motorcycle taxi industry in Africa presents a large market for electrification due to rising operational costs and environmental concerns
- GOGO, a Ugandan firm, is a pioneer in the electric transport energy business in Africa with a network of battery swap stations and agents
- GOGO’s EV150 electric motorcycle has a range of 120km on a single charge and offers reduced operating costs compared to ICE motorcycles
- Uganda’s clean electricity generation capacity and the growth of the electric motorcycle sector in the country offer opportunities for economic and environmental progress.
Article
The electric motorcycle sector in various African countries has seen significant growth over the past 6 years, with startups moving from early pilots to commercialization of their products. Countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya are now ramping up production of electric motorcycles, targeting the motorcycle taxi industry which accounts for a large portion of the market. The switch to electrification is driven by high operational costs associated with traditional internal combustion engine motorbikes and the increasing cost of petrol, making electric motorcycles a more cost-effective solution.
One of the pioneers in the electric transport energy business in Africa is Ugandan firm GOGO, which focuses on two-wheel vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries. GOGO has established a network of battery swap stations and agents across Uganda, offering electric motorcycles as a cleaner and more efficient alternative to petrol motorcycles. By using electric motorcycles, GOGO’s customers can significantly reduce their CO2 emissions and operating costs, while also benefiting from reduced pollution and maintenance expenses.
GOGO’s EV150 electric motorcycle is equipped with a 4.4 kWh battery pack, 2000 kW motor power, and a range of 120 km on a single charge. The swappable battery system allows for quick and easy battery exchanges, minimizing downtime for riders. In 2024, GOGO reported significant milestones, with customers covering over 50 million kilometers on its fleet of electric motorcycles and achieving 800,000 battery swaps at its stations. The electric motorcycles now consume over 10 MWh of electricity on GOGO’s battery swap network, showcasing the impact of electrification.
Uganda’s electricity generation capacity has been steadily increasing, driven by renewable energy projects such as hydroelectric plants like Isimba and Karuma. With a clean generation mix and excess capacity, Uganda is well-positioned for the electrification of vehicles, including electric motorcycles. In 2023, energy purchases in Uganda totaled over 6,000 GWh, with consumption at GOGO’s swap stations accounting for a small percentage. Accelerating the adoption of electric mobility can boost electricity sales and reduce the country’s fuel import bill, while also improving access to electricity for the population.
GOGO is aiming to have more than 5,500 electric motorcycles on the road by the end of 2025, up from the current 2,000, with the support of financing firm Watu. Partnerships between electric motorcycle firms and financing partners play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of electric mobility in Africa, particularly in the motorcycle taxi industry. Other players in Uganda’s electric motorcycle sector, such as ZEMBO and SPIRO, are also expanding their operations, signaling a promising future for the electric motorcycle market in the country. The potential for economic and environmental progress through locally tailored solutions and accessible financing is evident in Uganda’s evolving electric mobility sector.
Read the full article here