Electric motorcycles are beginning to gain traction within the local and global scene – a fact that has seen local electric company, Opibus, bring them to the Kenyan market.
Recently, Electric vehicle firm Roam, formerly Opibus revealed the availability of its electric motorbike named Roam Air.
The announcement of the Roam Air means that it can be purchased by Kenyans at KES 180,000.
According to Roam, the electric motorbike has been designed to run just fine in both urban and rural environments, and this follows an extended period of research in developing an optimal electric motorbike for the African market.
Its development was entirely done by the Nairobi Roam Engineering Team.
To note, the motorbike is fully electric and will see its users save up to 70 percent in running costs compared to fuel-powered motorcycles.
It uses a dual-battery system. Its configuration allows a user to unplug a battery from the bike, and charge it while at home, just like you would do with a smartphone. You can also charge it at any other place. A user also has an option to swap the battery at authorized charging stations.
When fully charged, it can manage a range of 180 km.
Roam says that the Air is mechanically robust and has been designed to tackle challenging terrains.
Roam adds that spare parts will be available to customers, both in Nairobi and upcountry via partners.
Roam adds that in the coming months, it will ramp up production in Nairobi to accommodate notable customer interest.
The two-wheel electric vehicle will be available at commercial distribution channels in the country. The channels will also facilitate financing, battery swapping, and selling the vehicles to commercial clients.
According to Albin Wilson, who is Roam’s Chief Strategy Officer, customers will also be provided with a portable charger, helmet, and reflector vest.
Wilson adds that customers can charge anywhere, that is, wherever there is a three-pin outlet with 220V.
In terms of charge cycles, Wilson had the following to say: “We are looking at 2000 cycles at the moment. Performance should be good for long into the product’s lifetime.”
Features:
- Battery Capacity: 2 x 3,24 kWh
- Range (Dual Battery): 180 km
- Nominal Power: 3000 W
- Payload: 220 kg
- Weight (Single Battery): 135 kg
- Charging time: 4 h
- Removable dual-battery solution
- Driving modes: Eco, Standard, Power, Sports, Reverse
- Increased carrying capacity on subframe
- State-of-the-art software and onboard telemetry
- Storage compartment in tank
- Improved screen user interface with better visibility
- USB charging port
