Chinese EV-manufacturer, BYD, will supply advanced-tech batteries to Kigali-based EV line, Ampersand, after the two companies signed an MoU on Tuesday.
Ampersand intends to ramp up its production of electric motorcycles to more than 40,000 by the end of 2026. BYD will invest in Ampersand’s plans to scale up not only the quantity of its fleet, but also the quality of the EVs produced from the burgeoning company’s line. BYD’s batteries are not only long-lasting and durable, but also affordable, making them ideal for mass EV production as demand soars. “BYD’s world-leading battery cells and manufacturing scale, combined with Ampersand’s deep customer insight and technical product knowledge will help fast-track the electrification of Africa’s commercial motorcycles,” said Ampersand CEO, Josh Whale.
Ampersand’s presence in Rwanda and Kenya has been solidified by their dependable charging infrastructure that riders rely on daily. The deal elevates the company a notch higher in achieving its production plans, even as competition from other players continues to gain ascendance.
“This partnership marks a major milestone for Ampersand as we continue to lead the charge in providing sustainable, cost-effective, mass-market EV solutions,” said Josh Whale.
The two companies agreed that revolutionizing the transport sector is the first step to reducing carbon emissions in African cities. Countries like Kenya have been at the forefront of clean electricity generation, and these steps will go a long way in strengthening the prospects of EV manufacturers across Africa.
“Electrifying the intensively used commercial motorcycles found across Africa is a logical first step to decarbonising a very large potential market of motorcycles across the Global South,” said a representative of BYD, Sihai Zhang.
“Ampersand’s electric motorbike technology and charging network, along with its excellent customer understanding, make the company stand out to BYD as the clear pioneer in the electrification of Africa’s transport system,” Zhang said.
East Africa is known as the ‘Boda Belt’ because most inhabitants in the region depend on internal-combustion engine motorcycles to travel between different places. It is not enough to only produce more electric motorbikes, but also ensuring they are cheap enough to incentivize riders to adopt them.
BYD has been a top player in global EV production, competing favorably with companies like Tesla. However, as markets in the Western bloc continue imposing high tariffs on Chinese EV imports, the company was expected to change tact. This will possibly include piecemeal entry into the African market which holds immense potential for EV manufacturers.
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