Source: press release | The battery swapping technology specialist STIMA and the India’s leading electric motorcycle manufacturer One Electric have partnered to deploy 3,000 rechargeable electric motorcycles in first phase, for Kenya. Thereafter the joint venture will expand to other African countries. The partnership combines One Electric’s high-performing and premium electric motorcycles with STIMA’s instant recharge infrastructure that can be deployed at a large scale. One Electric has already supplied an initial 30 motorcycles that will be deployed in the Kenyan market in the coming weeks.
Through the partnership, the companies can jointly deploy the most scalable model of electric 2-wheeler mobility tailored to African markets, which are defined by a high price sensitivity, intensive usage of up to 300 km per day and in challenging conditions (rough roads), and a high demand for high performance and durability.
Jason Gras, Co-Founder and CEO of STIMA, says: “The partnership with One Electric takes advantage of their high-quality and very strong electric motorcycles and enables STIMA to bring its battery swapping technology and innovative software services to the Kenyan market on a national scale. The partnership fits completely into our vision for the future of mobility in Africa: electric and technology-driven to keep cities on the move and protect the environment.”
With STIMA battery swapping service, boda-boda riders save at least 40% on daily operating expenses (fuel and maintenance).
Gaurav Uppal, CEO of One Electric further adds, “After working in the African market for more than a year, testing products with STIMA in Nairobi, evaluating the local conditions and riding habits, we were able to produce a motorcycle which can meet Africa’s demand. Heavy duty chassis, long lasting and durable suspension, metal body, high power motor and long life battery packs are well suited for delivering a long life for these bikes.”
One Electric built the KRIDN, a robust high-performance electric motorcycle tailored for intensive users in urban and rural areas of India and Africa.
STIMA estimates there are about 20 million two wheelers on Africa’s roads today, most of them moto-taxis and delivery riders whose running costs would be greatly decreased by switching to electric vehicles. This means that riders will earn more money with the same work they do currently. With STIMA’s battery swapping stations in Nairobi, the company removes three main barriers for the adoption of electric motorcycles: high upfront battery costs, long charging times and range anxiety. This creates enormous opportunities for energy investors.
Through the partnership, STIMA and One Electric will:
- Deploy 3,000 One Electric motorcycles for moto-taxi riders in Kenya in initial phase
- Scale the STIMA network of smart battery swap stations in Kenyan cities
- Expand the partnership across Africa to enable the 20 million riders on the continent to switch to greener and more cost-effective electric motorcycles.
Emile Fulcheri, CTO of STIMA, says: “The need for energy infrastructure investment for electric mobility in Africa is in the range of billions. We are building the required tailored technologies and business models that will ensure these investments are profitable and the most scalable.”
About STIMA
Founded in 2020 in Paris, STIMA is a battery swapping technology company targeting the deployment at large scale of convenient instant recharge infrastructure for electric motorcycles in emerging markets. STIMA develops a full suite of hardware and Saas technologies, as well as tailored models of infrastructure financing, that ensure large energy savings for e-riders and achieves enhanced scalability and viability of battery swapping investments for e-mobility companies and traditional energy and asset investors.
For more information, visit www.stimaboda.com
About One Electric
Formed by Gaurav Uppal and Abhijeet Shah in 2019, One Electric Motorcycles aims to become market leaders in electric motorcycles for India and Africa market, in the 100cc up to 180cc segments. They are present in and ongoing trials in 6 African countries, India, UAE and Nepal. With constant R&D in battery, motor and controller technologies, they are striving to provide the most durable and long lasting powerful electric motorcycles.
For more information, visit www.oneelectric.in
Pictures copyright: STIMA
