Solar Ride

The Solar Ride Project

Empowering Communities with Sustainable Mobility

Overview

SolarRide is an innovative project located along the shores of Lake Victoria, specifically at Dunga Beach in Kisumu and Kiumba Beach in Mbita, Homabay. This initiative is designed to support small businesses, including fish vendors and riders, as well as organized women's groups involved in agricultural activities in rural communities.

Objectives

The primary goal of SolarRide is to provide affordable and sustainable transportation solutions that enhance the quality of life for rural and peri-urban residents. By improving access to essential services such as healthcare, education, employment, and recreation, SolarRide aims to create a positive ripple effect that uplifts entire communities.

Current Challenges

Small businesses are currently burdened by high operating costs due to rising fuel prices, particularly those relying on traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Core Activities

  • Implementation of PAYGo and Mobility-as-a-Service Model: The project will introduce 50 electric tricycles and electric bikes to rural communities, reducing fuel expenses by 20% compared to conventional fuels.
  • Solar Energy for EV Charging: Charging options include battery swapping priced at KES 200 and direct charging at KES 100, promoting sustainable energy use and minimizing operational costs by 30%.
  • Integration of Charging Stations: These stations will provide additional services such as ice-making, cold storage, phone charging, and community lighting, maximizing solar energy utilization and reducing infrastructure payback time.
  • User-Friendly Customer App Development: A dedicated app will facilitate charging point localization, payments, and battery tracking, enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
  • Empowering Women in the Rural Economy: The initiative aims to deepen the involvement of women as direct beneficiaries of the electric vehicle ecosystem, fostering gender-inclusive sustainable practices.
  • Support for Organized Groups: Empowering groups such as SACCOs, which include 1200 women and 400 youth, will lead to a 60% reduction in service and maintenance costs through the use of local expertise.