E-mobility startup Ampersand has partnered CrossBoundary Energy to power electric two-wheeler (E2W) motorbikes with solar energy at strategically located charging stations in Nairobi, Kenya.
Formed in 2016, Ampersand assembles and finances electric motorcycles that cost less to buy and operate, and perform better than the five million petrol motorcycle taxis in use across East Africa.
Since its commercial launch in May 2019, Ampersand’s fleet has grown to over 3,400 in size, and is expected to exceed 10,000 by late 2024. The company has raised US$21.5 million in funding in the last year.
It has now partnered with CrossBoundary Energy, a leading developer, owner, and operator of distributed renewable energy solutions for businesses, to pay for the renewable electricity used to charge some of its batteries at an affordable tariff, enabling it to scale more quickly and even more sustainably.
Ampersand will also manage battery maintenance and changing station operations, while CrossBoundary Energy will pilot financing and owning charging infrastructure and batteries at an Ampersand swap station in Nairobi. The pilot project will consist of 36 electric charging units and 150 lithium-ion batteries suitable for E2W vehicles, charged by a 37kWp solar PV system.
“The availability of reliable, affordable charging infrastructure is essential to scaling our operations and meeting the growing demand for e-mobility in Kenya. With CrossBoundary Energy’s solution, we are confident we can expand faster and more efficiently, bringing our e-bikes to more riders across Kenya and East Africa. By leveraging solar power this expansion will be even more sustainable, cutting carbon emissions faster,” said Hezbon Mose, Kenya country director at Ampersand.
CrossBoundary Energy’s expertise in offering off-balance sheet distributed energy solutions that reduce operational costs is tailor-made for the expansion of the e-mobility sector in the region.
“This launch is exciting for many reasons – firstly, it marks the start of CrossBoundary Energy’s foray into the e-mobility sector, in which we hope to play the same role we have played for C&I solar and mini-grids – accelerating private investment and driving growth. Secondly, because we are working with a partner with a strong track record and ambitious plans for East Africa, we hope to play an important part in supporting Ampersand to achieve their plans to scale,” Tombo Banda, managing director and head of CrossBoundary’s Innovation Lab, said.
