WeMobility
E-mobility solutions for rural areas
At WeTu sites along Lake Victoria in Western Kenya, the company’s WeMobility vertical is testing electronic vehicles that are excellent for daily use in rural areas. The tests are designed to prove that these products can provide a permanent and environmentally friendly alternative to existing methods of transport.
Designed for the population
Business models – such as the “sharing economy” approach – that make sense for these transport options are also in place, enabling quicker, cost-effective access to e-mobility with less maintenance. To encourage local value creation and to create jobs, the WeMobility vertical has also built workshops that also provide vocational training opportunities for e-bicycles and e-motorcycles assembly and maintenance.
Essential for e-mobility: A charging infrastructure that works
WeTu has set up more than 30 charging stations so far, generating its own solar power for charging e-vehicles at each site. Plans are in place to add collection points at the company’s sites along Lake Victoria to ensure environmentally friendly disposal of electronic waste. Financial support for the “e-waste pilot” comes from the Global LEAP Fund, which is backed by partners including USAID and DFID. Vehicle batteries are distributed using a rental model, and they can also be reused: the solar charging stations will give the batteries a second life as stationary power storage units.
WeMobility is part of our e-mobility engagement in rural Africa.
Siemens Stiftung’s work in Sub-Saharan Africa focuses on developing markets for rural electromobility. We believe these technologies will help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the Agenda 2030.