Electric Motorbike Development and deployment in Africa are all poised to get a huge boost as global high-tech company, BYD, and Africa’s leading EV energy tech company, Ampersand, signs off a landmark agreement recently.
According to Industrial sources, the two firms have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the decarbonization of Africa’s commercial motorbike transport system.
Industry sources added that the partnership with BYD will enable Ampersand to rapidly scale its electric fleet and its charging infrastructure, which is already the largest in Rwanda and Kenya. This continued scaling will allow Ampersand to meet the increasing demand for commercial motorcycles across Africa as its cities expand and riders increase, providing a sustainable solution to support the continent’s economic growth.
Josh Whale, CEO of Ampersand, stated: “This partnership marks a major milestone for Ampersand as we continue to lead the charge in providing sustainable, cost-effective, mass-market EV solutions. BYD’s world-leading battery cells and manufacturing scale, combined with Ampersand’s deep customer insight and technical product knowledge will help fast track the electrification of Africa’s commercial motorcycles. Switching the millions of taxi and delivery two-wheelers to EV energy tech represents one of the world’s best value-for-money decarbonization opportunities. At the same time, this transformation will save millions of hardworking motorcycle riders six hundred dollars each a year, driving clean economic prosperity.”
Sylvia Zhang, EV Business Development, Channel Development And Sales Strategist at BYD Company, stated: “Ampersand’s electric motorbike technology and charging network, along with its excellent customer understanding, make the company stand out to BYD as the clear pioneer in the electrification of Africa’s transport system. Electrifying the intensively used commercial motorcycles found across Africa is a logical first step to decarbonizing a very large potential market of motorcycles across the Global South.”
Industry sources added that BYD’s cutting-edge lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells have a long lifespan, an excellent safety record, and are affordable for everyday users, making them ideal for mass-market electrification.
