Going electric is the way to go, says boda boda operator on growing profit margins
At first, the shift felt experimental, a leap into a future that was still uncertain, but months down the line, Achiya says the decision is paying off.
Victor Achiya embraced Kenya’s emerging electric vehicle revolution by shifting from the noisy petrol-driven motorbike to the electric one sometime last year.
At first, the shift felt experimental, a leap into a future that was still uncertain, but months down the line, Achiya says the decision is paying off.
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With lower running costs and fewer maintenance needs, the 29-year-old rider says his profit margin is steadily growing.
After two years of working in the industry across both the busy streets and remote areas of Kakamega County, Achiya notes that with the e-bike, he earns a daily profit of approximately Sh1,800 to Sh2,000, after covering all his operational expenses.
“With the fuel-driven bike, I also used to make roughly Sh2,000 a day,” Achiya said.
However, Achiya points out that the real difference becomes clear when you consider the day-to-day operating costs.
“With an electric motorbike, the main and often only expense is the cost of charging. In contrast, petrol bikes come with a range of potential issues such as spark plug failure, clutch cable problems, water contamination in the fuel tank, among others,” Achiya said.
Combined with the constant fluctuations in fuel prices, these challenges can significantly reduce profit margins, he adds in part.
“Electric motorbikes thus offer more consistent earnings, as charging remains the primary and often sole operating expense.”
He explains that the electric bike could cost him roughly Sh400 in terms of battery charge in a day to realise the Sh1,800-Sh2,000 profit, whereas the petrol-driven one could consume fuel worth Sh700 in order to realise the same profit value.
In concrete terms, this translates to a profit difference of about Sh300 in favour of the electric bike.
“Considering all these factors, I can confidently say I'm a happy man, going home each day with an improved income, amidst the tough economic times we're living through.”
Achiya further compares the purchase price of electric bikes to petrol-powered ones, noting that electric models are significantly more affordable.
“I find it pocket-friendly, the electric bike cost me just Sh153,000,” he said.
In contrast, he points out that the last time he checked, even the most basic fuel-powered motorbikes were selling for an average minimum of Sh180,000.
His experience resonates strongly with Patrick Asava’s aspirations to eventually switch from his current petrol-powered motorbike to an electric one.
While speaking to the reporter, Asava, with clarity and eloquence, voiced his endless desire to go electric, citing the high cost of fuel as the main motivation behind his ambition.
Others who spoke to the reporter, including Simon and Warren from the streets of Kakamega town, expressed reluctance to embrace electric motorbikes.
This is based on the belief that electric bikes are more expensive to purchase compared to petrol-powered ones.
They also shared the perception that electric motorbikes are less powerful, especially when it comes to carrying heavy loads, which could limit their usefulness for their work.
Simon, in particular, dismissed the shift to electric, pointing out a major concern in remote areas where access to electricity and charging stations is limited, thus running out of battery, while in the most rural areas would pose a serious problem.
This is unlike fuel, which is readily available at numerous petrol stations even in rural towns,” Simon said.
The government, however, envisions a future where the streets of Kenya are filled with the quiet hum of electric motorcycles, aiming to phase out traditional boda-bodas over time.
It believes that the appeal of lower operating costs will encourage other boda-boda riders, many of whom still rely on petrol or diesel, to make the switch to electric bikes.
Data by the Ministry of Transport shows there are approximately three million boda-boda riders in Kenya, with the UN estimating that around five million people benefit from the income generated by this sector.
Efforts to transition seek to directly enhance climate adaptability in the country, with e-mobility being termed a central component of Kenya's National Climate Change Action Plan.
It aligns with the country's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 32 per cent by 2030.
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