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- This taxi riders union is accelerating electric bike sales in Uganda
This taxi riders union is accelerating electric bike sales in Uganda
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 | More than 4,000 electric motorcycles are being disbursed to customers on credit in Uganda through a union of taxi operators. The Boda Boda Riders Cooperative Union is handing over the motorcycles which will be paid for in instalments. The motorcycle taxi operators will pay an initial deposit of UGX 100,000 ($28) plus UGX 70,000 ($19.5) weekly for two years. |
Africa has more than 30 million motorcycle operators, but few are organised in formal groups such as cooperatives. They can help riders negotiate better terms for vehicle purchases on credit.
Selling electric motorcycles in bulk also creates a network effect for EV companies, helping to improve technology, financing and after-sales services.
Our take: Cooperatives for riders can create powerful links between riders and companies to ease access to key services… Read more (2 min)
 | A measure introduced by China in July to restrict exports of key technologies used in the production of EV batteries tops our latest Technology Tracker. Mobility Rising tracks technological developments in the EV sector across the world every month. In August, we analyse all the major trends and new innovations that have taken place over the last two months. |
Battery production technologies and lithium processing techniques have now been included on China’s export control list. The move is part of a broader effort to firm up dominance in the global EV battery market.
Africa will be hit as it relies on EV battery imports, mainly from China. Countries like Morocco are building major battery plants, mainly using Chinese tech.
Our take: Without China’s state-of-the-art technology, the development of cheaper and more efficient batteries in Africa will be slower… Read more (2 min)
 | South Africa’s EV transition is under threat from an unstable power grid. The country’s electricity generation fell by 2.5% year-on-year in February, in stark contrast to the gradual rise in EV sales, observes GoSolr founder Patrick Narbel. Integrating EVs with solar power presents a viable pathway to sustained sector growth, and greater energy independence. |
Patrick Narbel is the founder and CTO of the South African based renewable energy power generation company. He has over 15 years of experience in the renewable energy sector and worked at Romande Energie, ADAPT Consulting and AFRY.
Mr Narbel says South Africa must decarbonise transport without overloading its grid. As battery prices fall, EVs will become cheaper, driving greater adoption. And that is where solar energy comes in.
ARC Ride CEO Joseph Hurst-Croft (right) speaking at the TICAD 9 event in Japan
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Adesanmi Adewuyi, Research Analyst at The Clean Road Project, says, “Localization, IP, fleet scale, and export credibility are pillars for any viable EV sector on the continent.”