Electric motorbike development in Africa is set for a significant advancement as Chinese high-tech company BYD and Rwanda’s leading EV energy tech company, Ampersand, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding last week.
The agreement aims to decarbonize Africa’s commercial motorbike transport system.
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Under the agreement, Ampersand will purchase high-tech battery cells from BYD to build around 40,000 electric motorcycles by the end of 2026.
The long-term goal is to electrify a substantial portion of Africa’s 30 million commercial motorbikes.
This partnership will enable Ampersand to rapidly expand its electric fleet and charging infrastructure, which is already the largest in Rwanda and Kenya.
As African cities grow and the number of riders increases, the demand for commercial motorcycles will rise, making this sustainable solution crucial for supporting the continent’s economic growth.
Josh Whale, CEO of Ampersand, highlighted the significance of the partnership.
He said that, “This marks a major milestone for Ampersand as we continue to lead the charge in providing sustainable, cost-effective, mass-market EV solutions.”
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He added that BYD’s world-leading battery cells and manufacturing scale, combined with Ampersand’s deep customer insight and technical product knowledge, will help fast track the electrification of Africa’s commercial motorcycles.
Switching the millions of taxi and delivery two-wheelers to EV energy tech represents one of the world’s best value-for-money decarbonisation opportunities.
“At the same time, this transformation will save millions of hardworking motorcycle riders six hundred dollars each a year, driving clean economic prosperity.”
BYD’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, known for their long lifespan, excellent safety record, and affordability, are ideal for mass-market electrification.
Sihai Zhang, from BYD Company, emphasized the importance of this collaboration.
He said, “Ampersand’s electric motorbike technology and charging network, along with its excellent customer understanding, make the company stand out to BYD as the clear pioneer in the electrification of Africa’s transport system.”
Electrifying the intensively used commercial motorcycles found across Africa is a logical first step to decarbonising a very large potential market of motorcycles across the Global South.
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In addition to decarbonizing transport, electric two-wheelers will clean up the air and save drivers an average of 45% annually on fuel and maintenance costs.
This improvement will enhance lives and livelihoods, driving entrepreneurship and social mobility.
The partnership between BYD and Ampersand promises to transform Africa’s transport landscape, offering a sustainable and economically beneficial solution to the continent’s growing mobility needs.
