Uber launches an electric bike fleet in Kenya, a first in Africa

In Nairobi, Kenya, Uber has announced the introduction of electric motorbike taxis, claiming that this is a first for the firm in Africa.

 
The American cab company's decision coincides with plans by the Kenyan government to introduce electric vehicles throughout the nation as part of a green transportation initiative. Uber announced the debut of the Electric Boda in Kenya, with about 3,000 bikes originally planned, claiming that it will lower operating expenses for drivers by 30-35 percent and prices by 15-20 percent.
 
Frans Hiemstra, Uber's regional general manager for the Middle East and Africa, said in a statement that "this launch also supports our global efforts to become a zero-emissions platform by 2040."
 
The World Bank estimates that approximately 1.5 million young people work in Kenya's boda boda (motorcycle taxi) industry, which also generates around 202 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.4 billion) in economic output annually.
 
By 2030, the government of Kenya says it wants 5% of all registered vehicles in the nation of East Africa to be electric. According to official statistics, there are only a small number of registered electric cars (EVs), which make up less than 1% of the total 4.4 million registered vehicles.
 
A firm in Africa named Spiro announced that it has partnered with the Kenyan government to distribute more than a million electric automobiles around the nation.
 
The unveiling, according to Trade Minister Moses Kuria, will take place in Mombasa, a port city on the Indian Ocean.
 
According to a statement from Spiro, the company has already distributed close to 10,000 electric bikes to nations including Benin, Togo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
 
The firm has announced intentions to develop a manufacturing centre in Kenya and 3,000 battery charging and switching stations in addition to the 350 presently present around Africa. No indication of the timeline was provided.
 
The first-ever Africa Climate Summit will be held in Nairobi the following week. Kenyan President William Ruto, who has positioned himself at the vanguard of African efforts to tackle climate change, will serve as host.

Posted on : 15 May,2024 | News Source : ABNews

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