Kenya’s Electric Motorcycle Revolution – A Holistic Solution for the African Market

Kenya’s Electric Motorcycle Revolution – A Holistic Solution for the African Market

On Kenya’s rugged roads, electric motorcycles are quietly rewriting the future of local transportation. Traditionally, transporting goods from farm to farm across a 10-square-kilometer area in this remarkable land has relied on manual labor (called mkokoteni in Kenya). This service is not only annoying for those being served, but also often unsustainable. The time-consuming mkokoteni delivery method limits them to a very limited number of scenarios. This is where motorcycle operations emerge.

Thanks to UK investment supporting large-scale electric motorcycle development in Kenya, Kenya’s electric vehicle ecosystem is slowly gaining traction, and consumer interest is growing. Over the past seven years, Kenya’s electric motorcycle market has experienced rapid growth. Through technological innovation and scenario-based design, local companies have successfully built an electric motorcycle industry chain adapted to the African market. Swedish-Kenyan technology company Roam has opened East Africa’s largest electric motorcycle assembly plant, with an annual production capacity of 50,000 units. With market share projected to jump from 0.5% in 2021 to 7.1% in 2024, Kenya’s electric transportation revolution has entered a critical phase.

African electric motorcycle charging system solution matching

1. Structure—Ground Clearance with Sufficient Torque and Off-Road Capability

• Structural Strength and Rigidity: The frame possesses adequate strength and rigidity to support the vehicle’s total weight and maintain stability during operation. This ensures long-term performance over uneven terrain while accommodating a payload capacity exceeding 0.5 tons. Minimizes frame deformation that could reduce ground clearance. Ground clearance ≥200mm; water fording depth 300mm.
• Motor Torque Output: Peak torque reaches 2-3 times the rated torque. For example, a motor with a rated torque of 30N·m during continuous operation can achieve peak torque of 60N·m-90N·m to accommodate hill climbing and off-road capabilities.
• Torque-to-Speed Matching: Achieves optimal power performance and energy efficiency. Higher torque at low speeds provides sufficient acceleration force, while lower torque at high speeds maintains cruising speed. For instance, during starts and hill climbs, the motor must output greater torque to overcome the vehicle’s inertia and gravitational resistance. During steady cruising, torque output can be relatively lower to enhance energy utilization efficiency.
• Electronic Control System: Ensures motor torque output remains within the battery’s power capacity range while preventing torque limitations that could compromise vehicle performance. When battery charge is low or temperature is high, appropriately reducing the motor’s maximum torque output protects the battery and extends its lifespan.
• Battery Pack Layout: The shape and mounting position of the battery pack require thoughtful design. Generally, it should be positioned near the vehicle’s bottom to lower the center of gravity without compromising ground clearance or off-road capability. For instance, the Roam electric motorcycle cleverly integrates the battery beneath the chassis, maintaining stability while preserving ample ground clearance.

2. Energy – Features of the long-range CCS2 DC charging system and battery charging and discharging applications:

The power output that the battery’s charge and discharge state can support: The instantaneous discharge capability effectively matches the starting discharge current requirement, >80-150A, and the matching depends on the corresponding battery capacity and motor power. Charging and discharging: When starting, climbing or accelerating sharply, the instantaneous discharge current reaches 70%-80% of the battery’s maximum discharge current. DC charging adapts to the battery standard voltage of 48V-200V: It can be used in AC and DC charging scenarios of public charging facilities and is compatible with mainstream electric motorcycle battery specifications. With the battery swap battery pack: standardized lithium iron phosphate battery (48V/60Ah), the cycle life exceeds 2000 times and can be adapted to the battery swap mode;