Opibus: The mobility startup converting Kenya to electric vehicles

By Tom Page, CNN

Updated 0943 GMT (1743 HKT) March 1, 2022

Opibus is a Swedish-Kenyan electric mobility company based in Nairobi. It started by converting off-road vehicles to run on electric motors, before converting buses and designing its own electric motorcycle (pictured).
Photos: This mobility startup is converting Kenya to electric vehicles
Opibus is a Swedish-Kenyan electric mobility company based in Nairobi. It started by converting off-road vehicles to run on electric motors, before converting buses and designing its own electric motorcycle (pictured).
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Opibus has converted off-road vehicles for use in safari tours and as utility vehicles for mining. The conversion process takes 10-14 days and is not cheap, with prices starting at just under $40,000. The company maintains that significant costs can be recouped in the running of the electrified vehicle.
Photos: This mobility startup is converting Kenya to electric vehicles
Opibus has converted off-road vehicles for use in safari tours and as utility vehicles for mining. The conversion process takes 10-14 days and is not cheap, with prices starting at just under $40,000. The company maintains that significant costs can be recouped in the running of the electrified vehicle.
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Opibus' motorcycle has a range of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) and a top speed of 90 kilometers per hour (56 miles per hour). The bike comes with a detachable battery (either single or dual) meaning fully-charged batteries can be swapped in in a matter of minutes.
Photos: This mobility startup is converting Kenya to electric vehicles
Opibus' motorcycle has a range of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) and a top speed of 90 kilometers per hour (56 miles per hour). The bike comes with a detachable battery (either single or dual) meaning fully-charged batteries can be swapped in in a matter of minutes.
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The Opibus motorcycle was designed and is manufactured in Kenya. In late 2021 it attracted the attention of Uber, which has partnered with Opibus and will see drivers in Kenya use the bikes for ride-hailing.
Photos: This mobility startup is converting Kenya to electric vehicles
The Opibus motorcycle was designed and is manufactured in Kenya. In late 2021 it attracted the attention of Uber, which has partnered with Opibus and will see drivers in Kenya use the bikes for ride-hailing.
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Opibus began a pilot for its 51-seater electric bus in January. The company installed off-grid solar powered charging points in Nairobi to top up the bus's batteries.
Photos: This mobility startup is converting Kenya to electric vehicles
Opibus began a pilot for its 51-seater electric bus in January. The company installed off-grid solar powered charging points in Nairobi to top up the bus's batteries.
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