Conventional Motorcycle Taxis to be Replaced with e-Motos in Rwanda

TechInAfrica – With the continuously-emerging ride-hailing startups in the region, Rwanda serves as a framework for such ideas to be fervently implemented. A common method of transit for various layers of society, motorcycle taxis are a highly popular notion for mobility and transport. Yet most still prefer to use gas-powered motorcycles rather than electric-powered ones; more commonly known as e-moto.

During an event held on August 14^th earlier, Paul Kagame—Rwanda’s president—teased the plan to youths and listeners. The government will find a way to replace the ones in use at the moment (gas motorcycles, in this case), as well as reaching out to various ride-hailing and motorcycle taxi companies to provide support when the initial phase of the plan is conducted.

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The policy will define new restrictions towards motorcycles, potentially prohibiting any types of gas vehicles from enlisting on the companies’ fleet. In other words, the government will not permit any motorcycles that is not electric to be manifested daily. Despite this, an appropriate and methodological transition method is subsequently in order to promote the movement.

Ampersand, a company based in Kigali has also taken an initiative towards supporting this upcoming policy. The company has already began researching and developing e-motos and other EVs—as well as its designated charging stations across Rwanda. With an approximation of $2000 per year expended for fuel and oil-charges, drivers and taxi riders would have to welcome the electric change in supporting the microeconomy.

Within this idea is a significant step towards changing Rwanda’s national mobility space to electric. Besides motorcycle taxis, public transport, along with buses and automobiles are also projected to be subject to this revolutionary change. When the policy is in motion, it’s doubtless that drivers and customers will enjoy substantially less emission in the cities’ air—as well as cheaper commuting price due to low-cost energy needs.

Source: techcrunch.com