This electric motorcycle developed in Africa travels 6,000 km powered solely by solar energy

For years it has been proven that taking a trip by electric vehicle is totally viable. However, although many still deny this fact, demonstrations carried out on long journeys, whether by car or electric motorcycle, are continuous. The last and really striking one has taken place crossing a good part of the African continent. Specifically, this route has had a total of 6,000 kilometers. However, this has not been the data that has attracted the most attention about this milestone.

Perhaps the Roam brand is not familiar to many, although the firm is emerging in certain regions of Africa (its native territory) with its electric vehicles. Specifically, today the company even markets buses with this type of ‘zero emissions’ mobility. However, the protagonist of this story is the so-called ‘Air’, a motorcycle custom designed for the conditions prevailing in Kenya. Its peculiarity: can be recharged by solar energy.

The Roam Air that has traveled 6,000 kilometers across the African continent

As the brand itself points out, the Roam Air left on September 29 from its facilities located in Nairobi, Kenya. Their goal was specifically 6,000 kilometers away, in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Throughout the entire journey that this adventure lasted, The batteries of this electric motorcycle were recharged purely with solar energy. On the trip, the Roam Air crossed countries such as Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Botswana to finally enter South Africa.

During the 17 days that this adventure lasted, the greatest autonomy presented by the motorcycle was 1,000 kilometers in 18 hours. However, this data, of course, was not with a single charge, but other additional batteries were used, since this electric motorcycle has removable components, which facilitated the simple change between one that was discharged and another with a full charge. . On average, the vehicle traveled 100 kilometers between one load and another.

When talking about this adventure, Masa KituyiHead of Product at Roam, said: “Completing this journey is a historic milestone for Roam Air, proving that African innovation can thrive. “The warm welcomes from local communities showed us how excited people are about electric mobility built here in Africa.”

During the presentation of this tour he also had time to speak Thinus BooysenProfessor of Engineering and founder of the Electric Mobility Laboratory at Stellenbosch University: “This ambitious project represents a major step forward in showing the potential of sustainable electric mobility in sub-Saharan Africa. “Despite challenges such as adverse weather conditions and technical obstacles, the resilience of our team and Roam Air highlighted the power of innovation and collaboration.”

The Roam Air has a maximum speed of 90 km/h and an approved autonomy of about 75 kilometers, although depending on the use that is given to it when driving. His battery offers a capacity of 3.24 kWhalthough the company delivers two modules, so this is doubled. In addition to this, it is capable of running from 0 to 60 km/h in 6.9 seconds and can carry a payload of up to 220 kilos.