Researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU) have partnered with Roam, an electric mobility company based in Nairobi, to test the Roam Air electric motorcycle, primarily designed for urban environments.This initiative marks the first time an electric motorcycle developed in Africa will travel approximately 6,000 km powered solely by solar energy.
The Roam Air is set to depart Nairobi on September 29 and is expected to reach Stellenbosch by October 18, in time for SU’s Electric Mobility Day. “Roam has donated two electric motorcycles for our research and testing,” said Professor Thinus Booysen, founder of SU’s Electric Mobility Lab. “Testing the motorcycle overland is an ideal way to kick-start our collaboration.”
Researchers at the new Electric Mobility Lab within SU’s Department of Industrial Engineering are exploring Africa’s unique transportation needs and the infrastructure changes necessary to support electromobility.
Together, SU and Roam aim to advance research on electric vehicles (EVs) and their ecosystems, including electric motorcycles, EV powertrains, and local manufacturing.
“This journey highlights Kenya’s capability to design and produce world-class EVs suited for African conditions,” stated Masa Kituyi, Roam’s micro mobility product owner.
The motorcycle will be piloted by PhD candidate and project co-researcher Stephan Lacock, alongside Kituyi.Lacock emphasized that the goal of the trip is not merely to prove its feasibility—similar journeys have occurred elsewhere—but to showcase African innovation and the collaboration between SU and Roam to tackle local challenges using solar energy.
The SU research team aims to assess the drivetrain’s performance, the viability of swappable batteries, and the effectiveness of the solar recharging system.
The Electric Mobility Lab will be inaugurated on October 18 at Asara Wine Estate, where a retrofitted 65-seater electric bus will be presented to Golden Arrow Bus Service.
This journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch is supported by Scatec, Balancell, Voetspore, Tracks for Africa, Bush Lapa, SANEDI, through the LEAP-RE project, and Charlie’s Travel.