Swedish firm embarks on a test drive of electric BRT buses in Kenya

ROAM - A Swedish tech firm based in Nairobi Kenya has commenced testing of electric buses for the residents. This testing exercise will continue for a period of one year as it seeks to procure 100 Electric buses to help solve the public transport pandemic facing Nairobi dwellers.

A single electric bus has a sitting capacity of 77 passengers with the capability of covering up to 360 kilometers on a single charge.

The firm is working in partnership with the state utility agency Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) in delivering the country’s mobility ecosystem.

“Already we have installed charging center units across the city with a capacity of 3077 megawatts (MW) and an off-peak load of 1100 MW.KPLC has set up an e-mobility liaison office to provide customers with a seamless experience,” says KPLC, Managing Director Geoffrey Muli.

ROAM is seeking partnerships with both public and private sectors to scale up its vision of providing them with an environmentally sustainable solution that is cheaper to maintain than fuel-run buses.

The deployment of buses will initially be done within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, which will later be scaled up to include other parts.

According to ROAM’s Transit Board Member, Denis Wakaba said the company will put up its own charging infrastructure to support the buses.

“These electric buses will feature an online as well as cash payment system besides enhanced security features such as telematics, which is an integration of communication and information technology, enabling storage and transmission of information. We aim to provide priority sitting for women, the elderly, and children. We also have a wheelchair access ramp and its locking area,” Wakaba added.

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