Kenya is poised to make an electrifying leap in public transportation. Through a pioneering collaboration between Roam and County Bus Service (CBS), the Kenyan public transport landscape is set to transform with the introduction of 200 electric buses by 2026. This bold move reflects an ambition to mirror the mobile revolution—bypassing traditional combustion vehicles altogether for a greener future.
The Current State of Bus Transits in Kenya
Over the past four years, Kenya has seen an average of 1,274 buses sold annually. The introduction of just a few hundred electric buses each year could significantly tilt the scales in favor of electric mobility, rocketing its market share swiftly. A Nairobi-based firm is already trailblazing this path, aiming to inflate the ratio of electric buses to roughly 16% of yearly sales.
Roam & CBS Union: Charting a Greener Course
The synergy between Roam and CBS is making headlines, as they embark on deploying 10 electric buses by the end of 2024, with a long-term vision for 200 by 2026. This partnership signifies a milestone in refining the commuter experience within Kenya’s urban transit systems. CBS has taken a proactive approach by incorporating Roam’s electric buses over recent months, gaining invaluable operational knowledge to advance their services.
Riding the wave of innovation, Roam is determined to foster an ecosystem that can sustain its electric fleet. This includes establishing charging depots essential for meeting the electric buses’ power needs. Renowned for their cost-effectiveness, Roam’s buses are touted to slash operational expenses by more than half, while enhancing commuter convenience and comfort.
Localized Innovation Driving Change
Roam’s commitment to local manufacturing offers a double-edged sword of rapid innovation and economic benefits. The company’s partnership with financial institutions to provide asset financing helps CBS take ownership of the fleet, ensuring a profitable operation with the promise of the lowest ownership costs compared to other market offerings.
Felix Eningsjo, Roam’s Regional Sales Executive, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership, noting its potential to expand electric bus access and solidify sustainable transport practices. CBS Chairman Hon. Jessee Wanyeki affirmed the company’s dedication to customer satisfaction and steadier fare prices, unswayed by the volatile fuel market.
CBS: Trailblazing Electric Routes
CBS plans to integrate the new electric buses into critical routes that serve the central business district and other express lines, including:
- Between Limuru and Utawala
- From Kamulu to Kaberia and vice versa
- Connecting Juja with Kitengela
The Roam Move Electric Bus: Specs at a Glance
The Roam Move electric bus is designed to meet the demands of Kenyan commuters:
- Battery Power: 170 kWh capacity
- Passenger Capacity: Seats up to 51
- Travel Distance: 200 km on a full load
- Speed: Tops at 80 km/h
- Dimensions: Stretching 9.5 meters in length, 2.5 meters in height, and 3.2 meters in width
- Weight: 13,500 kg
- Charging: Reaches full charge in just 1.5 hours
- Doors: Designed with a main passenger and a driver door
- Price: Set at US$135,000
The commitment of Roam and CBS to electrify Kenya’s public transport is an inspiring benchmark for other markets in Africa, laying the groundwork for a cleaner, more sustainable urban mobility landscape.
