Roam has announced the milestone launch of Nairobi’s first ever electric, public mass transit bus operation. The 1-year pilot project aims to address the unique challenges of public transportation by providing a reliable, sustainable, efficient, and modern mass transit solution.
The transport sector is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya. 18% of Kenya’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from the transport sector. About 40% of CO2 emissions come from the transport sector. Diseases of the respiratory system are some of the main causes of morbidity, accounting for 25% of all incidences of disease in Kenya. In a bid to reduce emissions, Kenya’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aims to reduce 32% of greengouse gas emissions (GHG) in relation to the business as usual scenario of 143 MtCO2eq. Accelerating the adoption of electric mobility will be critical to achieving this.
Kenya has already taken some action to catalyze the transition to electric mobility, backed by some progressive policies. The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NEECS) of 2020 seeks to increase the penetration of electric vehicles to at least 5% of all vehicles imported annually by 2025. The Energy Act of 2019, the Finance Act of 2019, The National Climate Change Action Plan (NCAAP) 2018 -2022, and the Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan 2016-2030 are some of the key policy initiatives that help create an enabling environment.
Total electricity generation in Kenya increased by 7.0% to 12,414.7 GWh in 2021. The good news is that 89.6% of this electricity is generated from renewable sources! Along with a very green grid, zero tailpipe emission electric vehicles will go a long way in improving air quality in Kenya’s urban centers. The introduction of high-capacity electric buses is one of the best ways to encourage the provision of safe, reliable, clean, sustainable, and efficient transportation for the traveling public.
One of the leaders in electric mobility on the African continent is Roam motors. Today, Roam announced the milestone launch of Nairobi’s first ever electric, public mass transit bus operation. The one-year pilot project aims to solve the unique challenges of public transportation by providing a reliable, sustainable, efficient, and modern mass transit solution. The lessons learned during this period will be used to increase production and operations in the future.
The Roam Rapid, which has a capacity to carry 77 passengers, is set to operate on Thika Superhighway, Mombasa Road, and Waiyaki Way as initial routes, which are some of Nairobi’s busiest routes. The bus is currently running from Fire Station Lane in the Central Business District to Juja. The fare will match what other bus operators in the industry currently charge.
Here are some Roam Rapid details:
Roam Mass Transit Details:
- Battery capacity: 384 kWh
- Distance: 360 km
- Dimensions (LxHxW): 12500x3300x2550 mm
- Maximum speed: 70 km/h
- Seating capacity: 77 passengers
- Weight: 18,000 kg
- Fastest charging time: 2 hours
- DC fast charging
Features:
- Air conditioning for added comfort
- Lower floor entry with kneeling ability for easy access
- Wide doors with wheelchair ramp
- More legroom space for comfort
- Four priority seats for the elderly or people with disabilities
- Three large double doors
This launch is the first step in Roam’s vision to see the city’s streets paved with hundreds of electric buses by 2023. Initially, the target was the Nairobi Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) tender, which will see the deployment of 100 buses to Kenyan roads. In February 2022, the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) floated tenders for an international competitive bid for the lease of 100 clean energy-powered BRT buses for Phase 1 operation.
The Roam Rapid bus has a 384 kWh battery, which provides a range of 360 km on a single charge in the urban cycle. This is important, because the bus can run a full day of operation without a top-up fee, depending on the operator’s schedule. Two DC 180kW chargers have been installed in Roam’s warehouse to cater for full charges and top-ups. More DC chargers will be added in the near future.
Dennis Wakaba, Roam’s Project Coordinator, said, “At Roam, we aim to guarantee access to comfortable, fair and reliable public transport to move the masses to electric public transport in Nairobi.”
Several key stakeholders were present at the launch, including representatives from Kenya Power, the national power utility company. The Managing Director (Ag) of Kenya Power Eng. Geoffrey Muli was represented by the General Manager, Commercial Sales and Services, Eng. Smell of Rosemary. Kenya Power has established a Liaison Office to provide investors with a seamless experience. Through this office, Kenya Power collaborates with stakeholders such as Roam to support the development of the electric mobility ecosystem.
Eng. Odor said, “It is clear that when it comes to electric mobility, Kenya means business. So it is not surprising that local and international investors are putting their money in this market. Banks have also created special lines of credit to support the sector, which itself is an endorsement of the promise held by the e-mobility business.
Electric buses require significantly less servicing compared to their diesel counterparts. Due to rising fuel prices, the switch to electricity will also reduce operating costs by up to 50%. This ensures that operations are maximized and maintenance costs are reduced for bus operators.
Roam says these cost savings on the part of the operators can then be passed on to the daily commuter, ensuring cheap and expensive rides. As “Siemens Stiftung”Testing E-Mobility Business Models at WE Hub Victoria Limited in Kenya“The field report says, “Mobility is the basis of the overall development of a society: it gives the population access to jobs, markets, social facilities, and health care. In addition, mobility itself creates jobs. “
Access to reliable and affordable transport services can be a key driver of growth for many countries on the African continent, where currently the majority of the population does not have access to reliable transport services. . Increasing access to mass transit services, and in particular, cleaner transportation services such as high-capacity electric buses, will be a key driver of economic growth. The penetration of electric high capacity buses is increasing worldwide.
Images courtesy of Roam, Kenya Power
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