ARC Ride bets on local shops to scale charging

October 29, 2025

Dear subscriber, 

As the good book says, there’s nothing new under the sun. This is proving true in the EV sector, where companies are trying models applied successfully in other sectors. Can the agency model, so effectively used by telcos in Kenya to grow mobile money, be used for EV battery swap stations? 

Brian Ambani - Editor

Kenyan electric motorcycle startup ARC Ride has opened a new dealership in Githurai, a populous neighbourhood in Nairobi. The dealership will sell its motorcycles, spare parts, undertake repairs and maintenance, and host its automated swapping cabinets. The startup is among the few EV companies that seek to give customers all services under one (small) roof.

  • In this multi-pronged approach, ARC Ride hosts its swap cabinets in numerous locations such as shops, fuel stations and other high traffic establishments. This may make scaling swapping infrastructure faster. 

  • Whoever builds the widest network of swap stations might hope to dominate Africa’s electric two-wheeler market. This has locked the continent’s EV startups in a fierce race to raise capital and scale quickly.  

  • Our take: Installing smaller swap cabinets in multiple locations may be better than placing bigger cabinets in a few locations … Read more (2 min)

For a long time, engineers have been in a dilemma on how to increase the range of EV batteries. Until now, a longer range meant larger, heavier batteries that use more power to carry. In our monthly tech review, we highlight a new battery innovation by 24M Technologies, a US-based company. 24M has developed a battery that will apparently give EVs 50% more range.

  • This new battery is called ETOP (electrode-to-pack). It eliminates traditional modules by directly integrating electrodes into the battery pack, increasing energy density and efficiency while reducing weight, components, and manufacturing steps.

  • The biggest concern around ETOP is that the cost of proven battery technology is plummeting. Battery prices dropped over 90% in the past 15 years, and the 2023 price is expected to drop by 50% by 2026. 

  • Our take: Cheaper and more durable batteries are the key to making EVs affordable… Read more (2 min)

Electric two-wheelers are transforming Kenya’s EV landscape, says Moses Kemibaro, the founder and CEO of Dotsavvy. They have driven a more than thirty-fold increase in registered EVs between 2019 and 2025. Their affordability, ease of charging, and alignment with the income profile of most Kenyans make them the preferred choice for many, he says.

  • Electric motorcycles dominate Kenya’s new vehicle registrations at 7.07%, far ahead of Tuk-Tuks at 4.55%. In contrast, buses (1.11%) and passenger cars (0.18%) show limited if still growing adoption.

  • The early dominance of two-wheelers marks a practical path toward mass electrification. As technology costs decline and policy and consumer awareness advance, cars and buses are expected to follow suit, says Mr Kemibaro.

  • Click here to read his full opinion… (2 min)

Kofa’s CEO Erick Nygard (second right) participates at the Ghana Transport and Logistics Fair. (Source: Kofa)

Jobs

💼 Join Spiro as a Dispatch and Logistics Deputy Manager (Rwanda)

👨🏻‍💻 Become an internal Audit Associate at Watu Credit (Kenya)

🏍️ Apply for Ride Testing Officer’s role at max (Nigeria)

Events

📅 Attend Africa Startup Festival in Kenya (Oct 30)

📅 Register for the TransAfrica Investment Summit in Uganda (Nov 5)

📅 Join industry think tanks at Kenya’s Public Transport Summit (Nov 26)

 

Various 

🥈 Chaja Africa secures second place at ClimateLaunchpad global finals

🤝🏻 Stellantis Morocco and Al Barid Bank partner to advance micro mobility in Morocco

🚙 Indian automakers strengthen presence in SA with new manufacturing plans

Seen on LinkedIn 

Michael Muchiri, Civil Engineer at MMA Consultants, says, “"Location Is Everything" = In a freely accessible market, where you install your EV charging infrastructure will determine its value, success, and desirability. Interoperability will therefore deny your EV Charging station customers and outrightly kill it permanently.”