Electric trikes hit the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, as Olympian Usain Bolt's company unveils its line of electric tricycles.
Bolt Launches Electric Tricycles in Lagos, Paving the Way for Sustainable Urban Mobility in Africa
Ride-hailing platform Bolt has made a significant stride in its electric vehicle (EV) strategy across Africa with the recent launch of electric tricycles in Lagos, Nigeria. This marks a pivotal moment in Bolt's mission to electrify urban transport modes common in African cities, reducing emissions while offering affordable, efficient alternatives to traditional fuel-powered vehicles.
The introduction of electric tricycles in Lagos is part of a broader commitment by Bolt to sustainable mobility on the continent. The company aims to invest €500 million over the next two years to expand EV adoption and related ride-hailing and delivery services across multiple African countries, with a goal of adding over 300,000 new drivers and couriers in 2023 alone.
Bolt's strategy in Nigeria focuses on scaling EV fleets, expanding charging infrastructure, and broader pan-African expansion. By leveraging flexible financing and leasing models, Bolt aims to lower upfront costs and maintenance burdens for fleet operators, much like successful programs in Morocco and South Africa. The company also plans to adapt EV technology to local conditions, including power grid reliability and tailored payment systems, which are critical for sustainable EV operations in African cities.
The company's ambitions extend beyond Nigeria, with plans to increase ride volumes and driver participation across the continent, aiming to reach a target of over one million platform drivers soon. Bolt's electric tricycle service may extend to other Nigerian cities, depending on factors such as government policy, charging infrastructure, and maintenance networks.
The electric tricycles launched by Bolt are intended to introduce cleaner mobility options in Lagos, a city where the transport sector is a key source of air pollution. The move reflects growing private-sector interest in sustainable urban transit, with analysts viewing Lagos as a potential testbed for broader EV integration across West Africa.
Similar EV pilots have launched in East Africa, including in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. In Kenya, Bolt has partnered with BasiGo and Ampersand to test electric bikes in Nairobi. In Rwanda, tax breaks and public charging stations are helping scale Ampersand's electric motorcycles. Startups like Spiro are expanding electric bike fleets in Uganda with venture capital support.
A 2023 UN report suggests that EVs could potentially reduce fuel costs for African drivers by up to 40%. This, coupled with the environmental benefits, makes EVs an attractive proposition for African cities looking to combat air pollution and reduce fuel costs for drivers.
However, details on the battery specifications of the electric tricycles launched by Bolt are not provided. The move comes at a time when fuel prices in Nigeria have increased following subsidy removals, making the affordability and efficiency of EVs even more appealing.
In conclusion, Bolt's electric vehicle strategy in Africa includes the deployment of electric tricycles in Lagos as a flagship in sustainable urban transportation, combined with extensive investments, financing innovations, and infrastructure development initiatives aimed at accelerating EV adoption and transforming ride-hailing and delivery services continent-wide.
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