By Robert Asiimwe.
Imagine cruising through Kampala's bustling streets on a quiet, environmentally friendly electric motorcycle. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience just that, thanks to Zembo Thunder. These electric bikes not only offer a smooth and silent ride but also represent a significant leap towards sustainable urban transport in Kampala.
My journey began in Buziiga and took me all the way to Parliamentary Avenue, passing through iconic landmarks like Nsambya, Queens Way Roundabout, and former Nandos (Café Javas). The contrast between the serene electric ride and the usual noise of traditional motorcycles was striking. Special thanks to Achadius, the rider who accompanied me on this journey. His professionalism, knowledge about the bike, and engaging demeanor added immensely to the experience.
Environmental Efficiency:
Electric motorcycles not only excel in economic efficiency (as shown below) but also significantly benefit the environment. Traditional motorcycles emit approximately 0.12 kg of CO2 per kilometer traveled. For 36,500km, this amounts to 4,380 kg (4.38 metric tons) of CO2 annually. In contrast, electric motorcycles produce zero tailpipe emissions of CO2 during operation, highlighting a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and their critical role in mitigating climate change.
Furthermore, electric motorcycles operate quietly, reducing noise pollution in urban areas and providing a more pleasant commuting experience. Unlike traditional motorcycles, which require frequent oil changes and contribute to environmental contamination through oil spills, electric motorcycles have fewer fluid maintenance needs, thus minimizing their environmental impact.
In regions where electricity generation is increasingly based on renewable sources, the overall lifecycle emissions of electric motorcycles are significantly lower compared to traditional bikes. This further underscores the environmental advantages of transitioning to electric vehicles in urban transport systems.
Economic Efficiency:
What impressed me most was the efficiency of these electric motorcycles. A single charge, costing only 6000 UGX, allows you to cover a distance of 100km. In comparison, traditional fuel-powered bikes cover less than 50km per liter of fuel, which costs approximately 5500 UGX. To compare the costs over the same distance of 36,500km in a year:
• Electric Motorcycle:
o Total distance covered annually: 36,500km
o Number of charges needed: 36,500km / 100km per charge = 365 charges
o Total annual cost: 365 charges × 6000 UGX = 2,190,000 UGX
• Traditional Motorcycle:
o Total distance covered annually: 36,500km
o Fuel consumption: 36,500km / 50km per liter = 730 liters
o Total annual fuel cost: 730 liters × 5500 UGX = 4,015,000 UGX
Savings with Electric Motorcycle: 4,015,000 UGX - 2,190,000 UGX = 1,825,000 UGX per year.
Job Creation Potential:
The shift to electric motorcycles is not just about improving transportation efficiency and environmental sustainability. It has potential to stimulate economic growth and provide long-term employment opportunities for Ugandans, particularly the youth who are most affected by unemployment.
Uganda's youth unemployment rate stands at approximately 13.3%, with a large number of young people entering the job market annually. The adoption of electric motorcycles could provide meaningful employment opportunities in various sectors. This includes roles in local manufacturing and assembly plants, which are essential for producing electric motorcycles. For instance, if each assembly plant employs 100 workers and there are 10 such plants across the country, this could create 1,000 jobs directly in manufacturing.
Additionally, service centers and maintenance facilities will require skilled workers to ensure the proper functioning and upkeep of these vehicles. Assuming each service center employs 20 workers and there are 100 service centers, this could result in 2,000 jobs. The construction and maintenance of charging stations represent another avenue for job creation. If each charging station employs 5 workers and there are 500 charging stations, this could create 2,500 jobs.
Moreover, the expansion of the electric motorcycle sector will create indirect jobs in areas such as logistics, sales, customer support, and training programs. The overall job creation potential could be significant, particularly when considering ancillary industries that support the electric motorcycle ecosystem.
By embracing electric motorcycles, Uganda can leverage new technologies to stimulate economic growth and provide long-term employment opportunities for Ugandans, particularly the youth who are most affected by unemployment.
Infrastructure and Accessibility:
The rider, Achadius, shared some insightful details about these electric motorcycles. Zembo operates a battery-swapping system where riders can quickly exchange their depleted batteries for fully charged ones at numerous stations across Kampala. This eliminates the need for long charging times and ensures that the bikes are always ready for use. Currently, Zembo has over 200 electric motorcycles supported by 19 charging stations in Kampala, with plans to expand to other regions like Masaka and Mpigi.
However, the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles faces challenges, primarily the accessibility of charging facilities. Most users are confined to urban areas where these facilities are available. For electric motorcycles to become a viable option for more people, there needs to be a significant expansion of the charging infrastructure. This includes increasing the number of battery-swapping stations and ensuring their strategic placement to cover more areas, including rural regions. To fully realize the potential of electric motorcycles in Uganda, there is a need for government investment. Supporting the expansion of charging infrastructure and offering incentives for electric vehicle ownership can significantly boost adoption rates.
Policy and Government Support:
Despite the numerous advantages of electric motorcycles, their widespread adoption faces challenges, primarily the accessibility of charging facilities and the need for supportive policies. Most users are confined to urban areas where these facilities are available. To fully realize the potential of electric motorcycles in Uganda, there is a need for substantial government investment and policy support.
The Ugandan government can play a pivotal role by supporting the expansion of charging infrastructure and offering incentives for electric vehicle ownership. This could include tax breaks, subsidies for purchasing electric motorcycles, and investments in renewable energy sources to ensure that the electricity used for charging is sustainable. Additionally, implementing policies that promote local manufacturing and assembly of electric motorcycles could stimulate job creation and economic growth.
Supporting the adoption of electric motorcycles aligns with Uganda's National Development Plan III (NDP III) aspirations for sustainable urban development. It also reflects the country’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Furthermore, this initiative supports Uganda’s energy transition plan, which aims to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.
Global and Local Impact:
Learning from global examples can provide valuable insights. For instance, Kenya is making significant strides with plans to introduce one million electric motorcycles and establish 3,000 battery-swapping stations. This ambitious plan not only aims to reduce emissions but also to create jobs and boost the local economy. Similarly, Rwanda has introduced electric motorcycles and is rapidly expanding its charging infrastructure, showcasing a successful model of government and private sector collaboration.
On a broader scale, countries like India have implemented robust policies to support electric mobility. The Indian government offers significant subsidies for electric vehicle purchases. For example, under the FAME II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme, the government provides a subsidy of up to ₹15,000 (660,000 UGX) per kWh of battery capacity, making electric motorcycles more affordable. Additionally, state governments offer their own incentives, such as waivers on road tax and registration fees, further reducing the overall cost of ownership. These measures have led to a rapid increase in the adoption of electric vehicles, including motorcycles, and have significantly reduced urban air pollution.
To illustrate, an electric motorcycle in India might cost around ₹120,000 (5.3m UGX). With the FAME II subsidy, the cost could be reduced by approximately ₹20,000 (885,000 UGX), bringing the price down to ₹100,000. In comparison, a traditional fuel-powered motorcycle might cost around ₹90,000. Despite the slightly higher initial cost, the lower running and maintenance costs of electric motorcycles make them a more economical option in the long run.
In Europe, Norway stands out with its comprehensive approach to promoting electric vehicles. The Norwegian government offers extensive incentives, including tax exemptions, free parking, and access to bus lanes for electric vehicle owners. These measures have resulted in electric vehicles comprising a significant portion of new vehicle sales.
For Uganda, adopting similar strategies could accelerate the transition to electric mobility. By providing incentives, investing in infrastructure, and fostering partnerships with private companies, Uganda can enhance urban mobility, reduce pollution, and create a more sustainable environment. These efforts not only support the country’s energy transition plan but also position Uganda as a leader in sustainable transportation in the region.
Why it Matters?
Electric motorcycles are more than just vehicles; they are a pathway to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Kampala and beyond. By reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, these bikes contribute directly to combating climate change and improving air quality in our cities.
It's high time we embrace this technology and advocate for better infrastructure and policies to support the adoption of electric motorcycles. Together, we can make urban transport in Kampala more sustainable and fight climate change, one ride at a time.
Uganda should prioritize investments in infrastructure and offer incentives for electric vehicle adoption. By aligning with Uganda's National Development Plan III and Sustainable Development Goals, we can create a cleaner, greener future for our communities.
Robert Asiimwe - robertasiimwe@yahoo.com, +256789189654
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