Launching “Electric Boda” in Kenya, Uber positions itself as the e-hailing service of the future

Prices for trips are now anticipated to be significantly reduced by 15 to 20% thanks to Electric Boda

September 1, 2023 Samson Ayodeji

In Kenya, Uber has recently entered the electric bike market. According to Reuters, the e-hailing business today announced the launch of Electric Boda, a fleet of electric motorcycles that riders would use to transport passengers in Nairobi, the country’s capital. In Nairobi, around 3,000 electric bikes will be provided to users as part of the experiment over the next six months.

Imran Manji, Uber’s head of East Africa, said of the launch, “We are doing our part to aid the transition to eco-friendly mobility products and to support national sustainability objectives.”

Manji remarked that trip costs will now be further reduced by 15 to 20% thanks to Electric Boda. With prices 15–20% less than those of our current product, the introduction of Electric Boda would give Kenyans one of the most economical methods to go from place to place, according to Manji.

With this environmentally friendly fleet, the corporation portrays itself as one for the future at a time when the goals of climate activists have permeated international and national policy on every continent.

Uber revealed that “drivers will see a 30-35% drop in their operating costs, and their customers will pay 15-20% less than they do for a regular Uber motorbike trip.”

However, Uber won’t be involved in the fleet’s daily management. It stated in its statement that the assignment would be undertaken by Greenwheels Africa, an e-mobility business that specializes in electrifying motorcycles.

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According to reports, Greenwheels Africa wants to grow its charging sites in Nairobi to 10 by the end of the year. The company will supervise all bike-related logistical matters, including maintenance and charging, the statement stated.

As part of its managerial responsibilities, Greenwheels Africa will keep an eye on how the motorbikes are operating, including charging the motorbikes and, as necessary, swapping out flat batteries for malfunctioning ones.

In the future, Uber and its fleet partner plan to sell the bikes to the riders, Greenwheels Africa will only lease the bikes to the riders as part of “a collaborative partnership between Greenwheels Africa, Uber, and the riders.”

“The Middle East and Africa area general manager of Uber, Frans Hiemstra, stated that “now is the time to take significant steps that enhance sustainable practices and as a business, we are committed to being part of the collective efforts to reduce the carbon footprint.” “Through the launch of Electric Boda on our platform, we are proud to provide an option for emissions-free mobility in Kenya,” he said in his conclusion.

Uber’s transition to electric bikes

For Uber, the move towards an electric future has been a long time coming, but it is especially important for its operations in Kenya, one of the few major economies in Africa that has not fought to keep motorcycles around as a mode of transportation. In reality, Kenya’s President Williams Ruto has argued forcefully in favor of electric motorcycles, promising in July to assist with their purchase and lower the cost of financing them.

Hiemstra stated that Uber intends 25% of the miles its cars travel to be electric by 2030, beginning in South Africa, however, he made no mention of motorbikes at the time.

The initiative coincides with the world’s dramatic shift away from gasoline, which has been the standard fuel for vehicles, motorcycles, and generators for the past century. However, since conflict, turmoil, and coups have recently hit several oil-rich countries, the future of the formerly powerful oil industry has grown increasingly gloomy.

Additionally, in recent years, the world’s economies have started to view electric vehicles as the newest technological frontiers, with many leaders setting aside billions of dollars to finance significant expenditures in chip and battery research, development, and manufacture.

According to Uber, it will have zero emissions by 2040. Its first electric transportation offering in Africa is this.

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Samson Ayodeji

I am literally obsessed with technology. I love writing about the latest news in technology in different markets, segments and sectors across the world.

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