In an extraordinary feat of engineering and renewable energy, the Roam Air electric motorcycle has successfully completed a remarkable 6,000-kilometer (3,700-mile) journey from Nairobi, Kenya, to Stellenbosch, South Africa, entirely on solar power. Over the course of 17 days, the Swedish-Kenyan manufacturer Roam demonstrated the potential of sustainable travel in regions with limited charging infrastructure.
While the world record for the longest electric motorcycle journey stands at 25,000 kilometers (11,300 miles), Roam’s expedition showcases the viability of solar energy for long-distance travel in sub-Saharan Africa. The journey was powered by a solar panel charging system carried in a support vehicle that traveled ahead each day, ensuring fresh batteries were available for the Roam Air upon arrival. Throughout the trip, the motorcycle achieved an impressive single battery range of 113 kilometers (70 miles) and covered 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) in less than 18 hours on the final day.
Masa Kituyi, Roam’s product owner and one of the expedition riders, shared, “We wanted to break boundaries on how traversing through sub-Saharan Africa is possible without pre-installed charging infrastructure.” Kituyi rode alongside Stephan Lacock, a postgraduate student at Stellenbosch University, on a journey that took them through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana, with notable stops at Victoria Falls and the Chobe River, where they camped under the stars.
The team averaged around 400 kilometers (250 miles) per day, relying on the solar-powered charging system to keep their momentum. Weather posed a significant challenge, with Kituyi noting, “You can’t force the sun to shine.” The riders often adapted their routes to avoid cloud cover and maximize their charging opportunities.
While Roam typically expects customers to charge their bikes at home using grid energy, this expedition illustrates that, with proper planning, riders can undertake long journeys without conventional charging stations. “Anywhere you can charge your phone, you can charge the bike,” Kituyi emphasized. This groundbreaking journey aims to alleviate range anxiety among riders and showcase the flexibility of electric motorcycles in diverse environments.
Source: Swifteradio.com
