For years, it has been demonstrated that solar energy powers electric motorcycles and taking a trip in an electric vehicle is completely feasible. Despite many still denying it, demonstrations on long journeys, whether by car or electric motorcycle, are continuous. The latest and truly striking one took place crossing a large part of the African continent, covering a total distance of 6,000 kilometers. However, this has not been the most surprising fact of this milestone.
Perhaps many are unfamiliar with the Roam brand, although the company is gaining notoriety in certain regions of Africa, its homeland, with its electric vehicles. Currently, the company even markets buses with this type of ‘zero emissions’ mobility. However, the protagonist of this story is the so-called ‘Air’, a motorcycle designed specifically for the conditions in Kenya. Its particularity: it can be recharged with solar energy.
The Roam Air travels 6,000 kilometers across the African continent
According to the brand itself, the Roam Air departed on September 29 from its facilities in Nairobi, Kenya. Its destination was 6,000 kilometers away, in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Throughout the journey, the batteries of this electric motorcycle were recharged only with solar energy. On its trip, the Roam Air crossed countries such as Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana, finally reaching South Africa.
During the 17 days of this adventure, the longest recorded range by the motorcycle was 1,000 kilometers in 18 hours. However, this was not achieved with a single charge, but using additional batteries, as this electric motorcycle has removable components, which facilitated the switch between a discharged battery and a fully charged one. On average, the vehicle covered 100 kilometers between each charge.
Regarding this adventure, Masa Kituyi, Roam’s Product Manager, stated: “Completing this journey is a historic milestone for the Roam Air, demonstrating that African innovation can thrive. The warm welcomes from local communities showed us how excited people are about electric mobility built here in Africa.”
The Roam Air is an electric motorcycle developed to face the harsh conditions in certain regions of Africa.
During the presentation of solar energy powering electric motorcycles in this journey, Thinus Booysen, a professor of Engineering and founder of the Electric Mobility Laboratory at Stellenbosch University, also had time to speak.
“This ambitious project represents a big step forward in showcasing the potential of sustainable electric mobility in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite challenges such as adverse weather conditions and technical obstacles, the resilience of our team and the Roam Air highlighted the power of innovation and collaboration,” he stated.
The Roam Air has a maximum speed of 90 km/h and a homologated range of about 75 kilometers, although this can vary depending on usage. Its battery has a capacity of 3.24 kWh, but the company delivers two modules, thus doubling this capacity. Additionally, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 km/h in 6.9 seconds and can carry a payload of up to 220 kilograms.
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