Bolt's Sh100 million boost for Kenya's electric mobility race

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【Summary】Taxi-hailing company Bolt plans to invest Sh100 million in the Kenyan market to promote electric mobility solutions. The company currently has 40 e-bikes being used for deliveries in Nairobi and aims to offer electric-powered vehicles for hailing through its app within the next year. Bolt will focus on smaller electric vehicles initially, working with manufacturers and banks to make them more affordable and accessible.

FutureCar Staff Sep 06, 2023 4:18 PM PT

Bolt's Sh100 million boost for Kenya's electric mobility race

Taxi-hailing company, Bolt, plans to invest at least Sh100 million in the Kenyan market to promote electric mobility (e-mobility) solutions. As part of this initiative, the company currently has 40 electricity-powered bicycles (e-bikes) being used for deliveries in Nairobi. Bolt aims to offer Kenyans the option of hailing electric-powered vehicles through their app within the next year, in line with the country's plans for an e-mobility framework.

Martin Villig, co-founder of Bolt, explained that the company will start the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) by focusing on smaller vehicles such as two and three-wheelers, which are more affordable. They will collaborate with electric car manufacturers to identify reliable and affordable models for drivers, and work with banks to provide financing options. Villig expects electric two or three-wheelers to become more visible in the next two to three years.

During a visit to Bolt Headquarters, a Kenyan delegation explored e-mobility solutions including e-scooters. However, questions were raised about Kenya's infrastructure readiness to support widespread adoption of e-mobility. Bolt acknowledges that the availability of charging stations and battery swapping opportunities will be necessary for the success of this transition.

Bolt has also partnered with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to enhance driver safety on their platform. They are working to clean up their registry of drivers and eliminate any rogue elements.

Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, recently established a task force to generate a report guiding Kenya's roadmap on e-mobility. This report will include proposals for economic interventions, such as tax incentives, to promote the uptake of e-mobility solutions in the country.

The global shift towards clean transport is driven by the need to address pollution and climate change. Bolt's investment in e-mobility in Kenya is a step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transportation options.