Electric mobility brings Africa’s energy transition into the wild
In Maasai Mara, Kenya, Joshua Kijape, a ranger at Entumoto Safari Camp, rides an electric motorcycle through the tall grass. The vehicle's silent motor enables him to approach wildlife and poachers without disturbing them or being detected. This electric motorcycle is part of a growing movement to integrate renewable energy into wildlife reserves by replacing petrol-powered transport with solar-charged vehicles.
The move aligns with Africa's broader energy transition, which is extending beyond urban transport to remote areas like the Maasai Mara. Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, highlights that seeing electric vehicles in the Maasai Mara during the Great Wildebeest Migration proves that clean technology can be reliable, affordable, and effective in challenging environments.
ROAM, a Nairobi-based electric motorcycle company, is testing the viability of their e-bikes in Kenya's rough tracks, long patrols, and remote conditions. The company's CEO, Filip Lovstrom, emphasizes that eliminating the noise from petrol bikes creates a serene environment beneficial to animals and tourists. Moreover, the economic advantages of charging vehicles using solar power on-site contribute to the broader adoption of this approach.
Beyond conservation, electric vehicles also benefit communities near wildlife areas. Emboo River Camp, for instance, has been using electric safari vehicles since 2019, charging them exclusively with solar power. Co-founder and co-director Loic Amado describes this as an "extremely good use case for electric vehicles" and claims it to be "quiet, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and most importantly economical."
While Kenya currently has a limited number of electric safari vehicles, the concept is gaining traction, particularly among larger safari operators. Campaigns like ROAM's aim to prove the feasibility of electric mobility in conservation landscapes and remote communities, paving the way for wider adoption and implementation of renewable energy solutions.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
