KAMPALA – The cyclists’ fraternity has received President Yoweri Museveni’s ambitious e-mobility plan with reservations –
In his address to the nation on New Year’s Eve, President Museveni said that government had made a plan that would in the long run reduce the number of fuel-powered motorcycles in the country.
The President emphasised that the target was the boda-boda cyclists, who are believed to account for more than 80 per cent of the Ugandan motorcycle market – and soon the roads could be filled with thousands of noiseless bikes if the policy was implemented.
Museveni said government was in talks with unnamed motorcycle assembling companies in Uganda, which, according to the draft policy, would withdraw the petrol-powered bikes from the road in exchange for battery-powered cycles.
“We have agreed with some investors to take away the petrol-diesel ones and give the owners electric ones, free of course. Just swap,” said Museveni.
Museveni said that the investor would foot the extra cost of the new electric motorcycle, which, are expected to be more expensive than the fuel-powered one. They would then recoup their investment from a fee paid by the now, electric motorcycle owners when they take them for charging.
However, the planned scheme has ignited a debate amongst motorcycle owners; as some are curious about how the issue of brand and efficiency would be handled while others described the arrangement as a dream.
“We have heard so many stories from the President, which die within a given electoral term of office and I am sure – the electric powered bikes is one of such – it’s a dream that may never come to reality,” said Ashraf Kahindi –a boda-boda rider at Kibuli SS stage.
“I own a Bajaj Boxer and it is the one I intend to buy again when this one is disposed of. But if I take it for the exchange, what type would they give me? I like my boxer, while another one loves a TVS,” said Musa Katende, a boda-boda cyclist in Kampala.
Some cyclists in Kamwokya who preferred anonymity claimed that they have observed that electric cycles were not as durable as the ones running on fuel.
“We have our colleagues who have them, but they are already dilapidated, less than two years on the road,” said one boda-boda, adding that the cost saved on fuel might instead go towards maintaining the condition of the vehicle.
However, an analysis of the fuel consumption compared to what is spent on electric cycles shows that at the end of the five-year period, the operator of an electric one would have saved up to Ugx38m.
But the other challenges lie in the cycles acquired through a loan scheme – a practice that has spread all over the country. Cyclists revealed that most of the bikes, at least for boda-bodas are acquired on loan either from financial companies or importing and assembling companies. Records show that it takes between more than a year to three to service such loans, depending on one’s area of operation and the terms of payment.
The issue of charging also seemed perturbing many, especially in cases where someone had to travel long distances and outside areas without recharging stations.
One of the companies, which government plans to rely on in fulfilling this scheme – through the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation is BodaWerk International Uganda Ltd, an innovative energy solution company.
According to the company, which did not discuss the details of the deal with the government, they both assemble new electric cycles or modify existing ones from petrol consumption to battery-powered ones.
Monday Shadrack – the Technical Sales Manager at BodaWerk explained that when they get a motorcycle, they remove all the combustion and engine systems from the cycle, replacing them with motor, battery, and controllers.
“So, a customer has the option of either buying a new motorcycle that goes for up to Ugx11m or having their current one converted at the cost of Ugx8m. The batteries are made by recycling lithium dry cells with an expected lifespan of five years,” said Shadrack.
When the battery is fully charged, it can go for up to 150 kilometres, depending on the load; and the sensor shows how much power is left and the estimated distance it can go.
There are currently about 10 charging stations in Kampala, especially at fuel stations, including Kabalagala Shell Station, Najjanankumbi Stella stage, TotalEnergies-Namungoona, Kanyanya Gaz station as well as at Mukono opposite TotalEnergies station.
But, according to BodaWerk, accessories that can enable cyclists to charge from anywhere – including at home if the house is powered are available. Charging at a selected station costs between Ugx3, 000 to Ugx5, 000, taking four to five hours to fill a battery.
With this, the government and the suppliers would have to find a position where charging stations would remain viable, in addition to focusing on how best home-charging could be made available.
Besides BodaWerk, another company in talks with the government is Zembo Motorcycles; an electric cycle assembling firm based in Ntinda, Kampala.
Last year at the presidential CEO Summit at Chobe in Zombo, President Museveni said that government would encourage Uganda Development Bank – UDB to offer loans to those whoever was interested in acquiring an electric motorcycle.
There are also credit companies like M-Kopa that provide hire-purchase services for motorcycles.
But Boda-boda cyclists were quick to task government to launch consultative and sensitisation campaigns as the best alternative to clearing the air –on any unanswered questions.
Additional reporting by URN
