Kenyan Startup Wander Unveils New Electric Shuttle Bus Model
Kenya-based electric vehicle startup Wander has unveiled a new shuttle bus model called Move, which arrives as the East African country continues to drive adoption of electric vehicles.
Expanding Production and Charging Infrastructure
Formerly known as Opibus, Wander plans to increase its production of the Move bus and expand its charging infrastructure to meet the growing demand for electric buses in Kenya. The country has been pushing for sustainable transport options in light of skyrocketing fuel prices and calls for reducing carbon emissions.
In February next year, Wander will deliver 50 Move buses and aims to produce 40 units per month at full capacity. The 42-seater buses, which have a range of 200 kilometers, are assembled locally with parts from China and cost $135,000. The buses can also be built to transport 52 people, providing more flexibility for different transport needs.
Designing Buses to Local Requirements
One of Wander’s key strengths is designing its own buses to meet local requirements. This includes features such as high ground clearance and customizable options for doors, trunk space, window accessories, and air conditioning. By building the buses locally, Wander can easily adapt the design based on customer preferences and local conditions.
Complementing Motorcycle Production and Bus Rapid Transit Plans
The introduction of the Move bus follows Wander’s plans to launch electric buses alongside its motorcycle production business. The company is expanding its offerings to cater to different segments of the transportation market.
The launch of Wander Move coincides with Kenya’s plans for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that aims to use green vehicles, including electric, hybrid, and biodiesel buses. Basigo, Wander’s main competitor, already operates electric buses on the main routes of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Roam’s Journey from Car Conversions to Electric Vehicles
Founded in 2017, Wander initially focused on car conversions before transitioning to electric vehicles. The company began designing its own electric powertrains in 2018, leveraging its in-house expertise in developing innovative solutions for the market. This transition allowed Wander to offer a wider range of products and cater to the growing demand for electric vehicles in Kenya.
Kenya’s Push for Electric Vehicle Adoption
Kenya has been actively promoting electric vehicle adoption through various measures, including zero-rating the supply of electric buses and bicycles and exempting imported and locally assembled motorcycles from excise duty. The country also provides special energy rates for electric vehicle charging. These initiatives aim to accelerate the transition from fossil fuel vehicles to cleaner and more sustainable transportation options.
Challenges and Opportunities for E-Mobility in Africa
While Kenya is making significant strides in electric vehicle adoption, e-mobility in Africa as a whole still faces challenges. Weak power grids, insufficient charging infrastructure, and high acquisition costs of electric vehicles hinder the widespread adoption of electric transportation. However, efforts are underway to address these challenges and pave the way for a more sustainable future in Africa.
Unlocking the Potential of Electric Mobility in Africa
While the adoption of electric vehicles in Africa has been relatively slow compared to the developed world, there is immense potential for e-mobility to transform transportation across the continent. By overcoming the challenges and leveraging the unique opportunities, African countries can unlock the following benefits:
1. Environmental Sustainability
Transitioning to electric vehicles can significantly reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, leading to cleaner and healthier cities. African countries, with abundant renewable energy resources, have the opportunity to power their electric vehicles using clean energy sources, further contributing to environmental sustainability.
2. Energy Security
Relying on imported fossil fuels for transportation poses a significant energy security risk for many African nations. By embracing electric mobility, countries can reduce their dependence on imported fuels and enhance their energy independence by leveraging domestic renewable energy sources.
3. Economic Growth and Job Creation
The shift towards electric mobility presents excellent opportunities for economic growth and job creation in Africa. Building a local electric vehicle industry can stimulate investment, create manufacturing jobs, and foster technological innovation. Additionally, the deployment of charging infrastructure and maintenance services will generate employment opportunities in the green energy sector.
4. Improved Public Health
Poor air quality caused by vehicular emissions is a significant public health concern in Africa. Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution and improving public health outcomes. By promoting electric mobility, African countries can prioritize the well-being and quality of life of their citizens.
The Path to Electric Mobility: Addressing Key Challenges
While the benefits of electric mobility are evident, African countries must overcome several challenges to drive widespread adoption. Here are some key areas that require attention:
1. Infrastructure Development
Building robust charging infrastructure is crucial for enabling the widespread use of electric vehicles. African governments and private sector stakeholders should collaborate to establish a network of charging stations, both in urban areas and along major highways, to provide convenience and confidence to electric vehicle users.
2. Affordability and Accessibility
Electric vehicles are often associated with higher upfront costs compared to conventional vehicles. African countries need to explore policies and incentives that make electric vehicles more affordable for consumers, such as tax exemptions, grants, and subsidies. Additionally, innovative financing options, such as leasing and battery-as-a-service models, can lower the entry barriers for prospective electric vehicle owners.
3. Skill Development and Training
The transition to electric mobility requires a skilled workforce capable of manufacturing, maintaining, and repairing electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Governments, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders should collaborate to develop training programs and vocational courses that equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills for the electric mobility sector.
4. Policy and Regulatory Framework
A supportive policy and regulatory environment is essential for fostering the growth of electric mobility. Governments must develop comprehensive strategies that address vehicle standards, charging infrastructure regulations, grid integration, and incentives for electric vehicle adoption. Additionally, policy frameworks should prioritize sustainable transportation planning and encourage public-private partnerships to drive innovation and investment in the sector.
Conclusion
As Kenya’s Wander unveils its new electric shuttle bus model, the country takes another step towards realizing its vision of sustainable and clean transportation. The Move bus, with its local assembly, tailored design, and expanding charging infrastructure, exemplifies the potential for electric mobility in Kenya and Africa as a whole.
However, realizing the full benefits of electric mobility requires concerted efforts from governments, industry stakeholders, and the public. By addressing challenges related to infrastructure, affordability, skills, and policy frameworks, African countries can embrace electric mobility as a catalyst for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life.
Summary
Kenya-based electric vehicle startup Wander has unveiled its new shuttle bus model, Move, as part of the country’s efforts to promote electric vehicle adoption. Wander plans to increase production and expand charging infrastructure to meet the growing demand for electric buses in Kenya. The Move buses, assembled locally with parts from China, will have a range of 200 kilometers and can seat up to 52 passengers. Wander’s design capability allows for customization based on local requirements and customer preferences.
Kenya’s push for electric vehicle adoption includes zero-rating electric buses and bicycles, exemptions from excise duty for imported and locally assembled motorcycles, and special energy rates for charging. While e-mobility adoption in Africa faces challenges such as weak power grids, insufficient charging infrastructure, and high acquisition costs, there are opportunities for environmental sustainability, energy security, economic growth, and improved public health. Overcoming these challenges will require investments in infrastructure, affordability, skills development, and supportive policy frameworks.
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Kenya-based electric vehicle startup Wander has unveiled a new shuttle bus model called Move, which arrives as the East African country continues to drive adoption of electric vehicles.
Wander (formerly opibus) now plans to increase its production of the Move bus and expand its charging infrastructure, as it anticipates growth in demand for electric buses following the acceleration of electric vehicle adoption in Kenya, against the backdrop of skyrocketing fuel pricesand calls for a shift towards sustainable transport options.
Roam will deliver 50 Move buses in February next year and expects to produce 40 units per month at full production capacity. The 42-seater buses, with a range of 200 kilometers, are assembled locally with parts from China and will cost $135,000. The bus can also be built to transport 52 people.
Roam, which designs its own buses, says it builds them to local requirements, including high ground clearance. “Building the body locally also enhances our design offering; We can move the door, build more space in the trunk, accommodate preferred window accessories or add air conditioning, etc.,” Roam country sales executive Dennis Wakaba told TechCrunch.
The launch of Roam Move comes after the company revealed plans in 2021 to launch electric buses to complement its motorcycle production business. It also follows the launch of Roam Rapid in July, which aims to take advantage of Kenya’s (now stalled) plan. Bus rapid transit (BRT), which was intended to be powered by green vehicles (electric, hybrid and biodiesel). Its main competitor, BasigoIt already has dozens of electric buses on the main routes of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Founded in 2017 by Gardler, Filip Lövström and Mikael Gånge, Roam previously specialized in car conversions, before moving into the production of electric vehicles.
“We started designing our own electric powertrains in 2018 and have a lot of in-house experience. We have that internal competition that gives us more flexibility in terms of what products we can bring to the market,” Wakaba said.
Roam is backed by Silicon Valley fund At One Ventures and Factor[e] Ventures and pan-African venture capital firm Ambo Ventures,
The introduction of the Move bus follows Kenya’s continued push for electric vehicle adoption by zero-rating the supply of electric buses and bicycles, and exempting imported and locally assembled motorcycles from excise duty, in the current finance law. The country also has special energy (load) rates.
Last week, electric vehicle (EV) battery charging and swapping infrastructure Guidelines 2023 were released by Kenya’s energy authority to, among other things, accelerate the construction of public charging stations, which remains a major impediment to their adoption.
As Kenya lays the groundwork for the transition from fossil fuel vehicles, overall, e-mobility adoption in Africa remains slow compared to the developed world due to a number of challenges including weak power grids, charging infrastructure insufficient and high acquisition costs of electric vehicles.
Roam unveils new EV bus model to tap Kenya’s mass transit sector
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