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An innovative solar-powered motorcycle is making its way from Nairobi to Cape Town, part of an ambitious energy project spearheaded by Stellenbosch University that could revolutionise sustainable transportation.

This is believed to be the first time that an electric motorcycle developed in Africa will cover approximately 6,000 kilometres with only the sun as an energy source.

Shjoe, talk about ‘African ingenuity’, hey!

An electric motorcycle started its expedition from Nairobi en route to Stellenbosch on Sunday, 29 September, and is in part to observe Transport Month in South Africa.

Researchers from Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Engineering have teamed up with Roam, a cutting-edge electric mobility company based in Nairobi, to put the Roam Air to the test—a sleek, customised electric motorcycle designed in Kenya specifically for African roads and urban environments.

Prof Thinus Booysen, founder of the Electric Mobility Lab, said in a statement released by the university that the project is also there to inspire people, “we want to educate and to create awareness to show that it can be done – and more importantly that it can be done with green energy.”

Accompanied by two support vehicles, the electric motorcycle is expected to arrive in Stellenbosch on Monday 18 October – in time for the University’s Electric Mobility Day celebration.

Earlier, Booysen, explained that Roam donated two of its electric motorcycles the Lab for research and testing. “We cannot think of a better way to kick-start our research collaboration than testing the motorcycle overland. To do this within the African fraternity of ingenuity is an enormous privilege.”

 

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At the newly established Electric Mobility Lab within Stellenbosch University’s Department of Industrial Engineering, researchers are leading the charge in advancing electric mobility across the continent. Their work focuses on the region’s distinct transportation needs, as well as the infrastructure and operational changes required for electric solutions.

In collaboration with Roam, SU aims to drive research on electric vehicles and their supporting ecosystems. This includes electric motorcycles, powertrains, local manufacturing, and digital platforms to plan the future of electric urban mobility in Africa.

“This journey showcases Kenya’s ability to design and locally manufacture world-class electric vehicles for African conditions. It’s a testament to local innovation, leading the way in sustainable mobility solutions,” Masa Kituyi, EM Product Owner at Roam, commented last week.

Taking the motorcycles for its epic cross-country ride are Stephan Lacock and Kituyi, PhD candidates and co-researchers on the project.

“The emphasis is not on the whether such a trip can be done as there has been other similar journeys in the world, but rather to showcase African ingenuity and collaboration between SU and Roam to overcome African conditions with green solar energy,” Lacock commented.

The Stellenbosch University research team is particularly eager to assess the performance of the Roam Air’s drivetrain, the practicality of its swappable batteries, and the effectiveness of the solar recharging system in real-world conditions.

Let’s go!

[source:stellenboschuniversity]