Roam Launches The Second Era of Its Roam Air Electrical Bike In Kenya

Final Up to date on: twelfth June 2025, 04:35 am

Good issues are taking place in Africa, particularly within the electrical automobile sector. We’re beginning to see vital traction in a variety of nations on the African continent. In Ethiopia, a complete ban on the import of absolutely constructed inner combustion engine (ICE) automobiles has resulted in an unbelievable improve within the variety of electrical automobiles on the roads. In Senegal, a ground-breaking 100% electrical bus fast transit service is up and operating. Quite a lot of nations are additionally pushing for adoption of electrical buses. Over 90% of all automobiles imported in most African nations are available as used automobiles. With the rising variety of used electrical automobiles in Europe, China, and America, we’re additionally beginning to see much more used EVs coming to West, East, Central, and Southern Africa.

One of many hottest subjects in Africa in the intervening time, nonetheless, is the rise of the electrical motorbike sector. Bikes are a very massive deal in loads of African nations, with most of them deployed as taxis. Near 30 million bikes on the continent are used on this motorbike taxi business. With nearly 99% of them nonetheless being inner combustion engine bikes, there’s a big alternative and a big addressable marketplace for electrification. In Kenya, for instance, there are an estimated 3 million boda boda riders, whose work sustains an estimated 5 million livelihoods nationwide, based on United Nations (UN) information. So, you’ll be able to see that the motorbike taxi sector is a serious pillar within the economic system.

The transfer in the direction of electrical automobiles in Africa, particularly on this electrical motorbike sector, has primarily been pushed by the non-public sector and led by small startup corporations. One of many leaders in Kenya is Roam. Roam has simply launched the brand new Era 2 Roam Air, an upgraded electrical motorbike designed with direct enter from boda boda riders. The great factor is we are actually beginning to see rising numbers of electrical bikes from Roam and different gamers hit the street in Kenya. The KNBS Financial Survey Report (2025) exhibits that 68,804 new bikes had been registered Kenya in 2024. Of those, 4,862 bikes had been electrical based on information offered by the Electrical Mobility Affiliation of Kenya (EMAK). Meaning 7.1% of all new motorbike registrations in Kenya in 2024 had been electrical. With all these electrical bikes hitting the street, it offers companies comparable to Roam a large alternative to get loads of actual use case information from the customers of their electrical bikes. This information can then be used to make enhancements and adapt the product providing to satisfy customers’ wants. Roam has due to this fact included loads of suggestions from customers of their Roam Air Gen 1 to provide the a lot improved Gen 2 Roam Air.

Roam says the brand new Gen 2 Roam Air options over 40 sensible enhancements and has been extensively examined in each city and rural settings. Roam says the Roam Air 2 was designed and engineered by Roam’s in-house staff and showcases a powerful dedication to native innovation and manufacturing.

The staff says “a direct response to the financial and sensible wants of Kenya’s greater than 3 million boda boda riders.” The Gen 2 Roam Air is one kilogram lighter than its predecessor, contributing to improved battery effectivity and total dealing with. Roam provides {that a} strengthened body now helps as much as 240 kilograms — 20 kilograms greater than the unique mannequin — permitting the motorbike to higher deal with the calls for of day by day transport on Kenya’s various roads. The brand new model introduces a lockable single-door battery compartment aimed toward lowering theft and simplifying the battery change course of, one of many key issues raised by riders within the earlier mannequin.

Boda bodas actually get examined in on a regular basis use instances as riders carry passengers or transport numerous objects which generally is a massive as a sofa. It’s due to this fact vital that any electrical motorbike must be as strong as attainable to deal with all of this. Due to this fact, Roam says the Gen 2 mannequin elements all this in and, consequently, sturdiness has additionally been improved, together with higher climate resistance — key parts now supply elevated rust safety and additional waterproofing, together with the storage and electronics. The brand new Roam Air variant additionally incorporates a extra simplified cabling, extra refined lighting, and mechanical refinements designed for on a regular basis put on and tear.

Roam additionally says the Gen 2 has enhanced consolation with redesigned footrests, a reshaped seat, and a stronger rear provider to higher help the rider, their passenger, and their load. In keeping with its dedication to native manufacturing, Roam has elevated home manufacturing of key components to 36%, together with the physique panels, wire harness, connectors, battery compartment, mechanical auxiliaries, and storage unit. This step is anticipated to shorten the provision chain, scale back upkeep prices, and help Kenya’s rising cleantech manufacturing sector by creating jobs.

Beneath Kenya’s Authorized Discover 112, producers that localize 11 key components qualify for the Obligation Remission Scheme (DRS). Roam’s Era 2 goes additional, with over 40 regionally produced parts, together with plastic, steel, and digital components. As an authentic tools producer (OEM), Roam owns its designs and tooling, enabling better native worth addition and long-term affordability. This is likely one of the highlights of the transition to electrical in Kenya and in different components of Africa. The strikes to go electrical have been initiated by regionally based mostly corporations which are working to supply options which are a finest match for the native market, and this has resulted in rising the penetration of regionally sourced parts.

Roam’s Manufacturing Supervisor, Monicah Mwalo, emphasised the significance of neighborhood involvement within the redesign course of. “We didn’t simply replace just a few options — we rethought the motorbike with enter from the individuals who use it day-after-day. This model is grounded in Kenyan realities.”

Some early customers have reported measurable price financial savings. Joel Amboka, a Nairobi-based boda boda rider, mentioned, “Earlier than Roam, most of my cash went to petrol and repairs. Now I cost at dwelling, spending beneath KES 200, and experience all day. It’s made an actual distinction in my revenue. I also can simply run my day by day actions due to the sturdy body.”