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By Busayo Onijala
A Swiss-Nigerian Startup, AaraGo, with the support of the Taiwanese Mission in Nigeria on Thursday launched electric bikes capable of traveling 150 kilometers before charging.
Co-founder of AaraGo, Olumide Adeosun, said the bikes were designed to drive a greener tomorrow and reduce the dependency on fuel while providing a diversity of energy sources to Nigerians.
The launch, with the theme: ‘Electrify Lagos: Driving a Greener Tomorrow with Sustainable Two-wheeler Mobility”, was supported by the Mission of Taiwan in Lagos and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
Adeosun said AaraGo’s mission from the onset was to provide sustainable, efficient, and accessible transportation solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
“We have over five million bikes in Nigeria, many of which consume five to seven litres of petrol a day and this is a lot.
“So there’s an opportunity to leapfrog and convert some of those away from fossil fuels and more into cleaner energy. And our solution is entirely off-grid,” he said.
He said Lagos already had many “opportunities, not challenges”, including traffic congestion, air pollution and excessive energy consumption.
Adeosun said traditional fuel-powered vehicles contributed heavily to these opportunities, noting that it was imperative to embrace cleaner, greener alternatives.
“We are trying to accelerate the ignition of a movement towards cleaner, greener mobility and invite everyone to cast aside the old myth that there is insufficient power in Lagos or Nigeria to go electric,” he said.
According to him, Taiwan is one of the leading countries in terms of battery technology and the real partnership was finding KYMCO, a Taiwanese motorcycle manufacturer.
“We are making history with Ionex/KYMCO, as the first solar-powered Battery with a Service swap station in Africa, probably in the world,” Adeosun said.
Vice President, Business Development at Ionex/KYMCO, Margaret Ho, said her company had excelled in offering world-class mobility options with durable and long-lasting proprietary batteries.
“Thanks to the genius design, our energy station is modular and scalable. We are committed to providing sustainability innovation and empowering riders globally,” she said.
Speaking on the benefits of adopting the electric two-wheelers, AaraGO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Philip Handschin, said it had significantly lower maintenance costs.
He said this was due to its fewer moving parts and no need for regular oil changes or complex engine repairs, unlike traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) bikes.
“Certainty of fixed costs with our battery swap subscription also allows you to budget confidently without the fluctuations in fuel prices that impact traditional bikes.
“Also, KYMCO bikes provide the best range-to-battery ratio in the electric two-wheeler segment. Two full batteries can provide up to 150 km and stations across Lagos are within easy reach,” he said.
The Chief of Taiwan’s Mission in Nigeria, Andy Yih-Ping, said the launch was not just a promotion of trading or investment opportunities but to showcase what Taiwan could bring to the world.
According to him, Taiwan has been well known for its high technology and stands for the most advanced technology in e-mobility.
“Taiwan stands for the most important strategic partnership in terms of high technology, semiconductors and microchips.
“Taiwan is the most trustworthy and important technology producer in the world. This is why we are bringing our technology into Africa to showcase that we do not compete with our big brother, China.
“At the same time, we want to differentiate ourselves from the big brother, that we can lead a good way of empowering Africa and Nigeria with our technology which you can trust and rely on,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Oropo
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