Consumer View: When is the right moment to embrace an EV?

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Electric motorcycles are rapidly gaining popularity on the outskirts of Nairobi, and their growing advantages are putting pressure on riders of fuel motorcycles to make the switch. This week, we spotlight Cedrick Inyanje, a Kenyan boda-boda (taxi) rider. He is torn between the reliability of the past and the promise of a more affordable electric future.

• Mr Inyanje has depended on his petrol-powered Boxer 100 cc for the past four years. While he has not yet transitioned to an electric motorcycle, he is seriously considering it after hearing positive feedback from fellow riders who have made the switch.

• His main concerns, however, are the limited number of battery swapping stations, particularly outside Nairobi, and whether an electric bike can manage long-distance journeys such as his regular trips to his rural home, which is approximately 470 km from the capital.

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For the past four years, Mr Inyanje’s Bajaj Boxer 100, an ICE motorcycle, has been a determinant of his livelihood in Nairobi. This bike has helped him beat countless Nairobi traffic jams, carried many passengers, and, most importantly, always gotten him home to Busia. It is his only source of income, his steady companion, and he feels deeply grateful for it.

Lately, though, a new topic has started buzzing among boda boda riders within his main area of operation: electric motorcycles. Some of his close friends have already made the switch, working with apps like Bolt and Uber. They’ve been talking about how much cheaper it is to run, how steady the income is, and how smooth and quiet the ride feels. Mr Inyanje even went to an event about electric bikes before he had a conversation with Mobility Rising at the AutoExpo, which happened in Kenya this week.

His friends share convincing stories. They say they’re saving a lot on fuel, which is one of Mr Inyanje’s biggest daily costs. He wonders what he could do with those savings. Perhaps buy a better helmet, save for his children’s school fees, or even buy that small piece of land he dreams about. The idea of having more money left each day is very tempting.

Still, Mr Inyanje has doubts. His Boxer has never let him down. It’s strong and fit for the rough terrain of some Nairobi roads and the long journey to Busia. Can an electric bike really manage that? What if the battery runs out and he’s far from a charging point? That’s a real fear. Petrol stations are easy to find, which is comforting when the tank is low.

Then there’s the question of what to do with his Boxer. It’s valuable, not just in money, but in memories. How would he even sell it? He doesn’t know much about the market for second-hand petrol bikes. It’s not just about money, it’s about saying goodbye to something that has helped him care for his family.

His friends also mention that battery swapping or charging might get more expensive. He worries that prices will keep rising and take away the savings. He’s also unsure about how heavy the battery is and whether it would affect how the bike rides, especially on rough roads or long trips like those to Busia.

But he can’t ignore the benefits either, like lower maintenance. No oil changes, no constant repairs. That would save him money and time, both of which are precious.

So now, Mr Inyanje finds himself at a crossroads. On one side is his Boxer 150; a trusted friend. On the other is the chance for more income and maybe a better future with an electric bike. His friends make it sound great, but the risks and his passion for his Boxer make the choice hard. It’s a big decision, one that affects not just him, but his family too. He just hopes he chooses the right path.