Roam Launches The Second Era of Its Roam Air Electrical Bike In Kenya

Final Up to date on: twelfth June 2025, 04:35 am

Good issues are occurring in Africa, particularly within the electrical car sector. We’re beginning to see important traction in quite a few nations on the African continent. In Ethiopia, a complete ban on the import of totally constructed inside combustion engine (ICE) vehicles has resulted in an unbelievable enhance within the variety of electrical automobiles on the roads. In Senegal, a ground-breaking 100% electrical bus fast transit service is up and working. A lot of nations are additionally pushing for adoption of electrical buses. Over 90% of all automobiles imported in most African nations are available in as used automobiles. With the rising variety of used electrical automobiles in Europe, China, and America, we’re additionally beginning to see much more used EVs coming to West, East, Central, and Southern Africa.

One of many hottest matters in Africa in the mean time, nevertheless, is the rise of the electrical bike sector. Bikes are a extremely huge deal in a number of African nations, with most of them deployed as taxis. Near 30 million bikes on the continent are used on this bike taxi trade. With virtually 99% of them nonetheless being inside combustion engine bikes, there’s a big alternative and a big addressable marketplace for electrification. In Kenya, for instance, there are an estimated 3 million boda boda riders, whose work sustains an estimated 5 million livelihoods nationwide, in accordance with United Nations (UN) knowledge. So, you possibly can see that the bike taxi sector is a serious pillar within the economic system.

The transfer in the direction of electrical automobiles in Africa, particularly on this electrical bike sector, has primarily been pushed by the personal sector and led by small startup firms. One of many leaders in Kenya is Roam. Roam has simply launched the brand new Era 2 Roam Air, an upgraded electrical bike designed with direct enter from boda boda riders. The nice factor is we are actually beginning to see growing numbers of electrical bikes from Roam and different gamers hit the street in Kenya. The KNBS Financial Survey Report (2025) reveals that 68,804 new bikes had been registered Kenya in 2024. Of those, 4,862 bikes had been electrical in accordance with knowledge introduced by the Electrical Mobility Affiliation of Kenya (EMAK). Meaning 7.1% of all new bike registrations in Kenya in 2024 had been electrical. With all these electrical bikes hitting the street, it offers corporations equivalent to Roam a large alternative to get a number of actual use case knowledge from the customers of their electrical bikes. This knowledge can then be used to make enhancements and adapt the product providing to satisfy customers’ wants. Roam has subsequently integrated a number of suggestions from customers of their Roam Air Gen 1 to provide the a lot improved Gen 2 Roam Air.

Roam says the brand new Gen 2 Roam Air options over 40 sensible enhancements and has been extensively examined in each city and rural settings. Roam says the Roam Air 2 was designed and engineered by Roam’s in-house workforce and showcases a powerful dedication to native innovation and manufacturing.

The workforce says “a direct response to the financial and sensible wants of Kenya’s greater than 3 million boda boda riders.” The Gen 2 Roam Air is one kilogram lighter than its predecessor, contributing to improved battery effectivity and general dealing with. Roam provides {that a} bolstered body now helps as much as 240 kilograms — 20 kilograms greater than the unique mannequin — permitting the bike to raised deal with the calls for of every day transport on Kenya’s various roads. The brand new model introduces a lockable single-door battery compartment aimed toward decreasing theft and simplifying the battery change course of, one of many key issues raised by riders within the earlier mannequin.

Boda bodas actually get examined in on a regular basis use instances as riders carry passengers or transport numerous objects which is usually a giant as a sofa. It’s subsequently essential that any electrical bike must be as strong as potential to deal with all of this. Subsequently, Roam says the Gen 2 mannequin components all this in and, consequently, sturdiness has additionally been improved, together with higher climate resistance — key parts now provide elevated rust safety and additional waterproofing, together with the storage and electronics. The brand new Roam Air variant additionally incorporates a extra simplified cabling, extra refined lighting, and mechanical refinements designed for on a regular basis put on and tear.

Roam additionally says the Gen 2 has enhanced consolation with redesigned footrests, a reshaped seat, and a stronger rear service to raised assist the rider, their passenger, and their load. In keeping with its dedication to native manufacturing, Roam has elevated home manufacturing of key components to 36%, together with the physique panels, wire harness, connectors, battery compartment, mechanical auxiliaries, and storage unit. This step is predicted to shorten the provision chain, scale back upkeep prices, and assist Kenya’s rising cleantech manufacturing sector by creating jobs.

Below Kenya’s Authorized Discover 112, producers that localize 11 key components qualify for the Responsibility Remission Scheme (DRS). Roam’s Era 2 goes additional, with over 40 domestically produced parts, together with plastic, metallic, and digital components. As an unique tools producer (OEM), Roam owns its designs and tooling, enabling larger native worth addition and long-term affordability. This is among the highlights of the transition to electrical in Kenya and in different components of Africa. The strikes to go electrical have been initiated by domestically based mostly firms which are working to supply options which are a finest match for the native market, and this has resulted in growing the penetration of domestically sourced parts.

Roam’s Manufacturing Supervisor, Monicah Mwalo, emphasised the significance of neighborhood involvement within the redesign course of. “We didn’t simply replace a couple of options — we rethought the bike with enter from the individuals who use it day-after-day. This model is grounded in Kenyan realities.”

Some early customers have reported measurable value financial savings. Joel Amboka, a Nairobi-based boda boda rider, stated, “Earlier than Roam, most of my cash went to petrol and repairs. Now I cost at house, spending beneath KES 200, and experience all day. It’s made an actual distinction in my earnings. I also can simply run my every day actions because of the sturdy body.”