E-mobility startup Ampersand has partnered with CrossBoundary Energy to power its electric two-wheeler (E2W) motorbikes using solar energy at strategically located charging stations in Nairobi, Kenya. This collaboration aims to scale Ampersand’s operations more sustainably, providing renewable energy solutions for electric mobility in East Africa.
Founded in 2016, Ampersand assembles and finances electric motorcycles that are not only more cost-effective but also outperform the five million petrol motorcycle taxis currently in use across East Africa. Since its commercial launch in May 2019, Ampersand’s fleet has grown to over 3,400 vehicles and is expected to exceed 10,000 by late 2024. In the last year alone, the company has raised US$21.5 million in funding.
Ampersand’s new partnership with CrossBoundary Energy, a leading developer and operator of distributed renewable energy solutions, will allow the company to pay for renewable electricity at an affordable tariff, further accelerating its growth. CrossBoundary Energy’s involvement will pilot the financing and ownership of charging infrastructure and batteries at an Ampersand swap station in Nairobi, featuring 36 electric charging units and 150 lithium-ion batteries charged by a 37kWp solar PV system.
Read also: Rwandan EV company Ampersand teams up with BYD to electrify African transport.
Ampersand will manage battery maintenance and oversee charging station operations, while CrossBoundary Energy brings its expertise in financing distributed energy solutions. This collaboration provides Ampersand with the reliable, affordable infrastructure needed to scale operations across Kenya and East Africa.
“The availability of reliable, affordable charging infrastructure is essential to scaling our operations and meeting the growing demand for e-mobility in Kenya. With CrossBoundary Energy’s solution, we are confident we can expand faster and more efficiently, bringing our e-bikes to more riders across Kenya and East Africa. By leveraging solar power, this expansion will be even more sustainable, cutting carbon emissions faster,” said Hezbon Mose, Kenya country director at Ampersand.
CrossBoundary Energy’s proven expertise in off-balance sheet distributed energy solutions, which reduce operational costs, is ideal for expanding the e-mobility sector in East Africa.
“This launch is exciting for many reasons. Firstly, it marks the start of CrossBoundary Energy’s foray into the e-mobility sector, in which we hope to play the same role we have played for C&I solar and mini-grids – accelerating private investment and driving growth. Secondly, working with a partner like Ampersand, which has a strong track record and ambitious plans for East Africa, allows us to contribute meaningfully to their scaling efforts,” said Tombo Banda, managing director and head of CrossBoundary’s Innovation Lab.
