In the huge East African market motorcycles are a widespread mode of transport, hence there is an urgent need to convert to an affordable, sustainable electric standard.
To this end, Roam produces an electric motorcycle known as the Roam Air that is tailored for the African use case, with removable batteries and a portable charger. Truly, a new standard for electric motorcycles in Africa.
The Roam Air is adapted and designed in detail for the African use case and with a special focus on affordability, functional design and performance as it is an electric motorcycle tailored for commercial usage such as carrying passengers or cargo.
The electric motorcycle also has a proprietary frame that accommodates a dual battery system. Allowing users to plug their battery into any outlet, and switch a battery out when it is empty to a new fully recharged one, lowering downtime and ensuring continuous driving.
The frame is engineered to tackle all terrains while accommodating a storage compartment in the tank area and 220kg carrying capacity on the subframe.
To put it simply, an electric motorcycle is powered by a rechargeable battery (or in our case two) instead of petrol. With fuel prices on the rise and the uncertain future of fossil fuels, electric motorcycles offer a compelling advantage.
Electric motorcycles can be charged from any standard power outlet, and the cost per kilometre of riding an electric motorcycle is significantly lower compared to their traditional counterparts.
Riders can enjoy substantial savings on fuel expenses and can cut their operational cost of ownership by up to 60%. This is achieved because the vehicle is virtually maintenance free and charging with electricity is far cheaper than fuel.
Forget about long hours at the garage!
The Roam Air is fully electric meaning it has no oil, no spark plugs, air filter or timing belts. It doesn't even have a gearbox or clutch, which means fewer components that can wear out or break down.
This means the motorcycle is almost maintenance-free as there is only one moving part, the electric motor. As a result, maintenance and repair costs are substantially reduced.
The Roam Air produces no tailpipe emissions since the electric motorcycle is powered by an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine and relies on rechargeable batteries for energy storage. It doesn't emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), or particulate matter (PM) during operation.The Roam Air also boosts of zero-emission operations as on the continent most of our energy source is renewable reducing the overall environmental impact.
An electric motor is different from a conventional petrol engine in the way that it has instant torque. This means as soon as you accelerate the power is outputted and acceleration is instant. This means there is great power and speed in the motorcycle, perfect for city or off-road riding. Additionally the motorcycle has no clutch or gears which creates an easier, more intuitive motorcycle that anyone can ride.
Our battery swapping system allows you to within 10 seconds swap your empty battery for a fully charged one. This enables you to have an uninterrupted utilisation.
A frame that can handle two batteries allows for minimal downtime as the overall energy capacity is increased, allowing for a longer range before needing to recharge.
This is especially useful for riders who frequently cover longer distances on their daily operation or require extended riding times without access to charging infrastructure. This increases the range and ease of use, solving the drawbacks with range while at the same time enabling clean transport.
Charge anywhere!
Each Roam Air comes equipped with a portable charger that can charge the electric motorcycle at any standard wall outlet.
No special charging equipment is required. With the Roam Air, you get to turn any outlet into a charging station, it’s really just as easy as charging your phone.
With our 10 A charger, it takes 3 hours and 45 minutes to charge one battery.
Designed In Africa, for Africa. A unique understanding of what is needed in the African market is built into Roam Air’s frame. With a payload of 220 kg and a peak torque of 58 nm, the Roam Air fits perfectly into the boda boda scene.
Our philosophy is simple: the best possible product for a market also has to be created, built and designed in that market.
We focus on creating connectivity and telemetry functions that enable for fleet management and the best possible experience for the end user. Everything in the motorcycle is monitored at all times, from location, battery health and current usage status.
Our steel frame design ensures our motorcycle is built for all terrains, without compromise. We have tested the vehicle in extreme conditions to be confident that repairs are kept to a minimum and performance is optimized.
58 nm
90 km/h
6.9 sec
75 km per battery pack, Depending on riding behavior
2x 3.24 kWh
220 kg
129 kg single battery,
149 kg dual battery
The range of our electric motorcycles is 150 km divided on 2 batteries mounted on the motorcycle, meaning 1 battery provides a range of 75 km. Similar to a conventional motorcycle, the terrain, rate of acceleration and tyre pressure will affect the range.
See our technical specifications for ranges of our products.
Our electric motorcycles can be charged in 2 different ways. With our 10 A charger, it takes 5 hours to charge one battery and 3 hours and 45 min to charge with our 8 A charger. If you have an extra battery you can simply switch the empty one for a fully charged battery.
See our technical specifications for charging times of our products.
The top speed of the electric motorcycle is 90km/h.
See our technical specifications for expected charging times of our products.
Every motorcycle has a portable charger included that can be plugged into any external 110/220V AC socket in your home, at the office or in public facilities. We also have Roam Hub Charging stations where you can do a quick top up.
The cost of charging with the portable charger depends on the electricity price in your country. Charging costs for one battery is approximately 96 KES for 75 km of range.
See the cost comparison of your savings here compared to a conventional petrol motorcycle.
We currently selling the Roam Air through Mkopa's lease to own plan.
Find the Reserve Now section here.
Since the electric motorcycles don’t have a combustion engine or gearbox, there’s no oil/filters/gaskets that need to be changed. We offer a service agreement for all our products that cover maintenance and software upgrades connected to the electric components. You will be able to receive maintenance support at our main facility known as Roam Park. With an electric motorcycle you will still have the same maintenance cost for suspension, brakes and regular wear and tear.