Smarter Mobility Africa Summit – October 2022

Sustainable Transport Africa and Africa’s transport decision makers are meeting on 5-7 October at the Smarter Mobility Africa summit.

 The event returns to a full scale in-person event, covering the length and breadth of the mobility industry, taking place in October during African Mobility Month and South Africa’s October Transport Month.

It will bring together thought leaders from business and government who aim to consolidate efforts to transition towards electric and smarter mobility.

Join Africa’s mobility event and connect with 1200+ delegates, 150+ speakers and 100+ exhibitors.

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Location: CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa

Dates and opening time: 5-7 October

Venue: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research International Convention Centre
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Electric Motorcycles Launch

Electric mobility is gaining traction round the globe. It is the future and Kenya is not being left behind in addressing pollution that is caused by the transport sector. Transport contributes to 13% of GHG related emissions thus the need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, is available on the electric mix grid. Kenya is initially focusing on battery electric motorcycles.

In partnership with Sustainable Transport Africa, UNEP launched an electric motorcycles pilot project in Kenya. Data collected through monitoring and evaluation of the project will help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the bikes, as well as guide policy makers in formulating the best policies that can be applied to help in the uptake of electric motorcycles. Electric motorcycles will help curb noise and air pollution and also promote energy conservation.

The Government through Ministry of Transport pledged its support by helping to raise awareness on electric mobility, provide incentives and reduce exercise duty from 20% to 10% for electric vehicles.

Key partners of the project; Kenya Power & Lighting Company, Powerhive,  Karura Forest Association and Kisumu County Government were also present for the electric motorcycles  launch.

Electric Mobility

Mobility has become an integral part in our lives; hence transport allows us to access activities and to participate in life. To meet the climate objectives of the Paris Agreement, a drastic reduction of Transport related GHG emissions is needed. Electrical mobility has the highest reduction potential as it focuses on transitioning from fossil fuels powered mobility to renewable energy powered mobility by integrating renewable sources e.g. geothermal, solar energy.

A shift towards fleet electrification could reap a variety of health and environmental benefits i.e. decarbonization, reduce noise and air pollution, spur renewable energy and harness economic potential by improving the balance of trade.

Implementing e-mobility requires building new partnerships and alliances such as; electric suppliers, public transport operators, charging station operators, vehicle manufacturers and engaging stakeholders such as the government and policy makers, researchers/academia, local communities and vulnerable groups.

Electrical mobility can be accelerated by setting long term strategies and objectives and deadlines in phasing out of ICE vehicles/bikes, Regulating CO2 emissions or fuel consumption standards, providing economic incentives/purchase subsidies/tax exemptions depending on the type/price of vehicle, public procurement; incentivizing municipal companies to buy more electric vehicles, Action by cities; by creating zero/low emission zones, investing in public infrastructure i.e. charging stations, safe intersections for bikes, car/bike sharing and lowering the price of batteries due to less of raw materials used in new battery technologies.

Cost savings are a major driver for e-mobility over internal combustion engine vehicles. Electricity is cheaper than diesel or petrol. Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts compared to ICE ones resulting to lower maintenance costs as well as fuel costs.

Governments need to sign up for sustainability commitments such as National Determined Contributions as a major drive towards achieving the electrification agenda. Car/bike manufacturers also need to do their part to combat climate change. Electrical mobility has to be implemented in a holistic approach and the higher the share of renewable energies in the electricity mix, the bigger the benefits from e-mobility.

AFRICA CLEAN MOBILITY WEEK 2018

Forty two African countries agree to a cleaner roadmap for the continent was the essence of the Conference Report.

Enterprising local traders already importing lithium-ion battery electric motorcycles for sale in popular people’s markets need support to help increase the uptake of electric mobility in the region.

Public awareness on eMobility commenced with one day of the Africa Clean Mobility Week dedicated to electric mobility

Electric vehicles were on display on the third day of the Africa Clean Mobility Week 2018 which focused on electric mobility.

   

EVs on display at Africa Clean Mobility Week 2018 were a revelation to many delegates who were not aware the technology was already in use in Africa dispelling many critics who claimed electric vehicles could not work in Africa

Battery electric vehicles on display included two Nissan LEAFs a Nissan e-NV200 and electric bicycles.

Lithium-ion powered battery electric motorcycle on display at the Africa Clean Mobility Week 2018

Sustainable Transport Africa sourced the electric motorcycle, from an enterprising trader at the popular Gikomba Market in Nairobi, which was on display at the Africa Clean Mobility Week at UN Environment’s Nairobi Headquarters

   

Africa’s abundance of sunshine all year round make solar PV charging the natural choice for both urban and rural EV charging as demonstrated by the charging equipment on display at the Africa Clean Mobility Week 2018 where the deep charge solar batteries had been precharged by solar PV panels

Integration with existing charging infrastructure and existing power outlets are key for the success of the initial uptake of two and three Wheeler electric mobility. The future roll out of fast charging stationions linked to renewable energy sources will further boost the uptake of larger four wheel vehicles and BRT buses as well as light trucks and buses.

EAC Sub-Regional Low-Sulphur Workshop

High Level Discussions on Road Safety in Nairobi