Watch as Iain Banner, Chairman of the e-Movement shares his unique insights into Africa’s green mobility future from the studio at Africa’s Green Economy Summit.
Banner also sheds some light on the importance of the recently launched Go Green Africa initiative.
Find out more about the e-Movement.
Written by: Nasi Hako
African sustainable mobility startup eWAKA has received strategic support from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Start-up Fund of the Swiss Confederation through a 500,000 Swiss Franc ($542,879.50) loan.
The loan will support eWAKA’s 2023 plans to accelerate a growth strategy focused on providing innovative and sustainable mobility technology in Africa through the local production and promotion of eWAKA’s signature electronic bike known as the Shujaa.
Given the transportation sector is the second highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the urban logistics sector in Africa and across the globe urgently needs to adopt new technologies and business models to fight climate change, which disproportionately affects African countries.
The effects are being felt in major economic value chains including Africa’s largest sector, agriculture. By adopting more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly vehicles into transportation fleets, the logistics sector can play a crucial role in helping Africa tackle climate challenges while providing significant economic benefits to a number of critical industry sector value chains.
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The growth strategy built on several pilot projects, including a Shujaa market introduction, will enable eWAKA to expand to other parts of Kenya and East Africa in 2023. A key element of eWAKA’s growth plans is to secure additional financing options for independent delivery drivers.
Commenting on eWAKA’s 2023 growth strategy, Celeste Vogel, Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer & General Counsel of eWAKA said: “As understanding localised constraints and variables are key to successfully deploying micro-mobility models and solutions, eWAKA conducted several pilot projects with target customer segments.”
Susanne Grossmann, the manager of SECO Start-up Fund commented: “We welcome the contribution to local production in the e-vehicle space and we hope that eWAKA will set a successful example for efficient, climate-friendly traffic systems in African cities that meet the mobility needs of the continent.”
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eWAKA Shujaa is designed specifically for deliveries. The bike has a front rack that can hold 15kg and a back rack that can take 50kg, with a total load capacity of 65kg. It comes standard with one battery and can be fitted with a second optional battery for a total range of up to 120km. The Shujaa is easy to start using, less expensive to access (no need for a driver’s license and easy to manipulate) and maintain while offering comparable utility.
The start-up’s kickscooters are built for sharing and are made of robust materials. On offer is product training, after-sales services for customers and smart mobility software to drive efficiency, insights and uptime of the vehicles. With eWAKA’s fleet management platform, live data is collected for fleet owners to improve remote management, vehicle tracking, service history and other safety controls.
eWAKA motorcycles are built for city and rural commutes as well as last-mile delivery. The vehicle, its battery-swapping ecosystem as well the retrofit kits for converting internal combustion engine motorcycles, are well-tested.
Nomvuyo Tena
Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has rolled out an electric vehicle (EV) project as part of their plans to lead Kenya’s shift from gasoline to EV.
East Africa’s leading energy producer, KenGen, has rolled out an elaborate plan to lead Kenya’s transition from gasoline-powered vehicles to EV as another way of combating climate change while solving transportation challenges in the country.
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To launch the project, KenGen unveiled its first four EVs in Nairobi in a move to support its diversification ambitions in the e-mobility sector. The four vehicles, which include two SUVs and two double-cabin pickups, will primarily be used for data collection and policy development as the company prepares to install more than 30 EV charging stations across the country in 2023.
The venture is part of the company’s environmental and economic sustainability plan to reduce global GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions by inspiring confidence for wider EV adoption across the country. The utility will use the cost and environmental data from the four EVs to transition its fleet to EVs, further demonstrating KenGen’s role in elevating its position on attracting investment funds financing green initiatives.
Speaking during the launch, KenGen Acting Managing Director and CEO Abraham Serem noted that the pilot EV units would give them a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility of e-vehicles transition while also providing insights on initial technology choices for electric charging infrastructure in the country.
“I am glad to announce that in the next one year, we plan to roll out about 30 EV charging stations in major cities across the country. The four acquired EVs we are launching today will give the company first-hand experience and data on electric vehicles,” he said, adding that this is an endeavor they seek to conduct collectively with other stakeholders.
“The development of e-mobility is an area that will require a multi-sectoral approach. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and working together with key partners, we have no doubt that this transition will pick up pace faster than envisaged,” said Serem.
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He added that the rollout will be used to develop a blueprint for the conversion of the company’s fleet from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to electric vehicles as well as advise broader strategies on similar trends in the market by other players. This will also enable the company to save on fuel and maintenance costs, thus creating value for shareholders.
“The EV revolution is here with us. Countries around the world are racing to phase out gasoline and petrol cars. France, England, Norway, India, China, USA, and the Netherlands are leading with either a goal to stop the sale of internal combustion engines by 2050 or have significant EV sales,” said Serem.
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In the long run, the adoption of EVs will drive up power demand and is also envisioned as a way to boost the utility’s revenues by way of selling more electricity to power transportation.
Already, KenGen said it has two EV charging stations in Nairobi and Naivasha and plans to install an additional three by end of 2023 in Murang’a, Embu, and Kisumu Counties within the company’s power plants. These particular charging stations are not open to the public as they are being utilised for internal piloting and data collection before the commencement of commercial rollout.
![Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht with Erik Bergvall MD of Scania Southern Africa 2[14620] (1)](https://smartermobility-africa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Shoprite-CEO-Pieter-Engelbrecht-with-Erik-Bergvall-MD-of-Scania-Southern-Africa-214620-1-1160x665.jpg "Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht with Erik Bergvall MD of Scania Southern Africa 2[14620] (1)")
A South African retailer has officially become the first among South African retailers to pilot a heavy-duty electric truck as part of its fleet.
The vehicle, a Scania Battery Electric Vehicle, is 100% electric and therefore has no reliance on fossil fuels and emits no carbon dioxide. The refrigerated truck can hold approximately 16 pallets, has nine batteries, solar panels fitted to its roof and a fully electric cooling system which is also powered by the battery packs of the vehicle.
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With a range in the region of 350km, the vehicle will be used for local deliveries and will be recharged using renewable energy generated by the Group’s existing solar installations.
“The acquisition of this, one of the world’s most advanced electric trucks, which we will charge using our existing renewable energy infrastructure, is another major move in this direction,” said Andrew Havinga, Chief Supply Chain Officer for the Group.
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In another first, the truck’s special “glow in the dark” signage will make it more visible when travelling at night. When exposed to bright (day) light, the signage can absorb and store particles. This stored energy is again emitted when it is dark, resulting in a glow.
The addition of the new electric truck forms part of the Group’s ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its supply chain. It recently acquired over 100 of the most fuel-efficient Euro 5 compliant trucks in Southern Africa and more than 900 of its trailers are fitted with solar panels which enable the refrigeration and tailgate lift to continue to run on solar power even when the truck is switched off.
