Cape Town - The electric motorcycle en route 6 000km to Stellenbosch has exceeded expectations, covering over 1 000km since it fired up in Nairobi, Kenya, only four days ago.

The motorcycle branded the Roam Air was developed by Roam a technology-driven electric mobility company based in Nairobi, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Department of Industrial Engineering’s newly founded Electric Mobility Lab.

The Kenyan-produced motorcycle was designed and built to utilise solar energy.

It started its journey from Nairobi on Sunday, en route to Stellenbosch, where it is expected to arrive on October 18, trekking through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Botswana.

SU Professor and Electric Mobility Lab Founder Thinus Booysen said while the Roam Air had been tested in urban settings, and now non-urban locations the Roam Air project was meant to provoke and inspire people.

“We could not think of a better way to conduct our research than through collaboration and testing the motorcycle overland. To do this within the African fraternity of ingenuity is an enormous privilege. We want to educate and to create awareness to show that it can be done and more importantly that it can be done with green energy,” Booysen said.

Roam micro mobility product owner, Masa Kituyi, said: “This journey showcases Kenya's ability to design and locally manufacture world-class electric vehicles for African conditions. It’s a testament to local innovation, leading the way in sustainable mobility solutions.”

Kituyi is one of Roam Air’s drivers along with PhD candidate and co-researcher on the project, Stephan Lacock.

Lacock said: “The emphasis is not on whether such a trip can be done as there have been other similar journeys in the world, but rather to showcase African ingenuity and collaboration between SU and Roam to overcome African conditions with green solar energy.”

Meanwhile, for its test drive, Roam Air is accompanied by two support vehicles, and is expected to arrive in time for SU's Electric Mobility Day celebration. The expedition is, in part, to observe Transport Month in South Africa.

The motorcycle is expected to reach Malawi today.

Commenting on Roam Air’s drive so far, Booysen said the first few days had been exciting.

“We have travelled substantially farther than we expected. We managed 400km on day one and will travel over 700km on day two.

“The solar plant sponsored by Scatedc and the battery pack by Balancell is serving us well, even exceeding our expectations.

“All in all, the experience has been seamless, with the only sacrifice being our sleep of course,” said Booysen.

nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za

Cape Argus