Uber has launched electric motorcycles in Kenya, a first for the company in Africa.
Electric motorcycles are more affordable, comfortable, and reliable than traditional motorcycles, and they produce zero emissions.
The launch of the e-motorbikes is part of Uber’s commitment to sustainability. The company plans to become a zero-emissions platform by 2040.
They will initially be available in Nairobi, with plans to expand to other cities. Riders can still expect the same safety standards on electric motorcycles as they do on traditional motorcycles.
Uber revealed that riders will not own the bikes; rather, they will be leased to them in partnership with Greenwheels Africa, an e-mobility company. The company will also be tasked with swapping batteries at select stations in Nairobi. Those stations will add up to around 10 before the year’s end.
Uber also says that the bikes will have a range of 80 km. Once the battery is depleted, it can be swapped at the charging stations at a fee. Riders will also have the option of swapping nearly depleted batteries at a smaller fee.
The service is already live in the Uber app, but only customers within Nairobi’s Upper Hill can access it for now.
“We are doing our part to aid the transition to eco-friendly mobility products and to support national
sustainability objectives. The launch of Electric Boda will provide Kenyans with one of the most
affordable ways to move from one place to another, with prices 15-20% below the price of our
existing product,” says Imran Manji, Head of East Africa for Uber.
