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AFFORDABLE, CLEAN,
ACCESSIBLE ENERGY FOR
ELECTRIC BODA BODAS IN AFRICA

ZERO EMISSIONS. ZERO CHARGE TIME.

ABOUT US

DRIVING ELECTRIC MOBILITY IN AFRICA

e-Zuri aims to improve lives in Kenya by delivering sustainable and scalable transport and energy solutions. To start, e-Zuri is building a cleaner and more affordable transport ecosystem. This consists of electric bodas, smart batteries and the associated infrastructure of intelligent battery swap stations.

Battery swaps are faster, cleaner, and more affordable than refuelling with petrol. Going electric will increase the boda driver’s income whilst leapfrogging Africa towards a carbon free future. Target customers include boda drivers, ride hailing and delivery app providers, corporates with their own in-house fleets, and e-mobility enthusiasts.

OPPORTUNITY

BODA

Boda bodas form the backbone of African mobility in cities choking on unplanned growth. Rapid urbanisation and deficient infrastructure have led to increased levels of traffic congestion and environmental degradation in Nairobi. Congestion is stifling the economy due to losses in time and fuel, and slowing access to jobs, learning and healthcare. With dwindling resources, most developing country governments struggle to offer affordable public transport, leaving the private sector to step in to fill this gap. One direct result of this is the unprecedented rise in the commercial use of motorcycle taxis, known locally as boda-bodas. There are now about 1.5 million bodas in Kenya. The sector is growing by about 15% per year, with c20,000 new bodas imported each month.

PROBLEM

The adverse impact of growth within the boda market is its rising contribution to carbon emissions and local air pollution. The transport sector is responsible for 67% of energy related GHG emissions in Kenya, a share which is growing. A conventional petrol motorcycle emits an astonishing 15 times more particulate matter in relation to its engine capacity than a petrol car. This contributes overwhelmingly to respiratory diseases, a leading cause of Kenyan morbidity, which was responsible for 7% of deaths in 2017. And this, in turn,  stifles economic growth by increasing expenditure on health, decreasing labour productivity, and rendering trade uncompetitive.

SOLUTION

Kenya urgently needs to adopt new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, if it is to meet its mitigation target of 30% by 2030, under the Paris Climate Agreement. The adoption of electric two-wheelers has emerged as an effective low-carbon strategy  – one with the potential to offer significant environmental and social benefits. Whilst electric motorcycles are largely absent from African markets to date, their uptake is soaring elsewhere around the globe. Indeed, 30% of the global market for petrol two-wheelers has already switched to electric and the global E2W market has been valued at 30 billion USD.  Motorcycle taxis spend 14 billion USD per year on motorcycles, fuel, and servicing. Moreover, Africa’s urban population is expected to double to 1 billion by 2050.

HOW IT WORKS

SwapPing dirty, expensive fuel for clean, affordable energy

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Electric
Motorcycles

Boda drivers can purchase an electric motorcycle from e-Zuri, through a flexible payment plan over time. They never need to purchase the expensive battery. The motorcycles have been designed in India with a mid-mounted motor to handle Kenya’s challenging riding conditions.

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lithium-ion Batteries

When the battery is low, drivers will exchange it for a fully charged one at strategically located swap stations, just like filling up their P2W tank with petrol at a fuel station. Battery swaps will be faster, cleaner, and more affordable than refuelling with petrol.

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Battery swap model

No new driver behaviours are required as the swaps are fast and convenient. Moreover, significant savings versus fuel can be made. By separating the ownership of the battery from the motorcycle, the battery-swap model removes the capital expense completely and therefore encourages a wider and faster transition to electric.

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Management
tech

e-Zuri will ensure that batteries are always in the right place at the right time. A smart back-end control system and associated mobile app will enable a variety of services to drive optimal performance and safety standards. These include navigation support, ride statistics, vehicle and battery diagnostics.

IMPACT

SOCIAL

Drivers will take home more money with e-Zuri. Battery power will be cheaper than petrol, even more so when the charging process can benefit from discounted solar electricity during the day and discounted grid tariffs during the night. Better transport connectivity and lower transport costs in general will benefit manufacturers, farmers, consumers, and passengers alike.

ENVIRONMENTAL

With a carbon footprint considerably lower than a petrol equivalent, the move to electric motorcycles will dramatically reduce GHG emissions. This positive environmental impact is particularly pronounced in Kenya, given close to 70% of the nation’s power generation mix already stems from renewable sources, largely geothermal and hydro. When the charging stations are complemented with captive solar power, the positive climate impact will be even more commendable.

HEALTH

A significant and immediate reduction in local pollutants and particle emissions, including CO2, hydrocarbons, SOx and NOx, will have an immediate impact on the region’s number of air-quality related health issues, particularly in the more congested urban areas.

EXPERIENCE

BORN AND BUILT IN KENYA

e-Zuri was born and built in Kenya, from where the team has a proven track record in starting and building scalable businesses in a variety of African markets. It is part of the Maris group of companies. Maris is a diversified investment holding company, committed to responsible, long-term growth in Africa. Maris’ hands-on commitment to operational performance gives it the insight and agility required for success in some of Africa’s most challenging and remote business environments.

With investments in the commercial and industrial solar sector, hydro power, and electric transportation, its goal is to support environmentally sustainable development and accelerate Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Sister company, Equator Energy, is the largest industrial and commercial solar power provider in East Africa, servicing clients in five countries. Meanwhile, Meta Electric, is a pioneering B2B sales and leasing company, focused on electric commercial vehicles in Kenya.

CONTACT

Want to join Africa’s e-mobility revolution?

e-Zuri Ltd, Office CB1, Blixen Court,
Karen Road, Kenya,
PO Box 1925 - 00502

© 2021 by e-Zuri