Bolt and M-KOPA Unite to Electrify Transportation
Forging ahead in the journey towards sustainable transportation, Bolt, an eminent on-demand mobility provider, teams up with M-KOPA, a pioneer in African fintech. Together, they’re electrifying the streets of Kenya with a new fleet of electric bikes, aiming to make urban transit both eco-friendly and economically beneficial for drivers.
Affordable Leasing: A Game-Changer for Drivers
Drivers on Bolt’s platform now face a tantalizing opportunity: the chance to lease ROAM and Ampersand electric motorbikes at rates well below the prevailing market fees. This collaboration is not just a stride towards sustainability; it’s an approach designed to bolster drivers’ earnings by curtailing operational costs.
In a phased rollout stretching over three years, Bolt pledges to introduce 5,000 electric motorcycles. This vision runs parallel to Kenya’s new National E-mobility Policy, promoting the domestic creation and assembly of electric vehicles (EVs).
Eco-Friendly Advantages with Financial Perks
Listing no tailpipe emissions and demanding lower upkeep than conventional counterparts, these electric bikes promise a thrifty and profitable operating scenario for drivers. A staggering 40% savings on total ownership costs could be within grasp for those who transition from petrol-powered rides.
Thanks to the innovative financing strategies enabled by M-KOPA, drivers can leap onto the electric bandwagon with initial costs as modest as KES 10,000-15,000. M-KOPA stands tall as Kenya’s most prominent electric motorbike financier and aims to extend its impactful footprint with this initiative.
Industry Leaders Express Their Enthusiasm
Caroline Weichai, Bolt’s Regional Director of RideHailing Operations in Africa & International Markets, emphasizes the transformative potential of the electric fleet. By synergizing sustainability with financial viability, Bolt strives to empower its drivers and stimulate the local economy.
David Damberger, M-KOPA Mobility’s Managing Director, echoes this sentiment. The partnership with Bolt propels them closer to revolutionizing mobility, making economically and environmentally sound transport accessible.
Highlighting the technical ingenuity, Mikael Gånge from ROAM lauds the at-home and portable charging solutions and the extensive Roam Hub network. These advancements pledge to optimize delivery riders’ efficiency.
Ampersand’s founder, Josh Whale, expresses gratitude for the collaboration, which he believes ushers in a new era for ride-hailing and delivery services in Kenya through an economically scalable structure.
Green Initiatives and Future Possibilities
Kicking off in Nairobi, Bolt’s electric bikes serve as the vanguard for a future brimming with possibilities. The company has even introduced ‘Bolt Green,’ a new ride category on its app, featuring hybrid and electric cars, complementing its sustainable roadmap.
Kenya’s electric mobility sector, particularly its thriving motorcycle taxi industry—known locally as ‘boda bodas’—is ripe for transformative initiatives. With an expansive market to tap into, Bolt and M-KOPA’s partnership could be a catalyst for greener, more cost-effective urban transportation, enabled by innovative digital payment solutions.
