Last-mile delivery drives EV growth

• The company plans to add 250 more motorcycles by the end of 2024, aiming for a total of over 650 by 2025.

• These motorbikes have a range of 80 to 100 kilometres per charge and can meet the demands of daily mail and parcel deliveries.

• Our take: Urbanisation and lifestyle change are set to drive demand for last-mile delivery… Read more (2 min)

Africa to localise vehicle battery manufacturing

• The DR Congo and Zambia are rich in minerals. Cobalt, copper, and lithium are some of the critical minerals found in these countries. Morocco has some reserves, but not in large proportions. The DR Congo accounted for over 70% of cobalt mined in 2021.

• The partnership between the countries seeks to utilise the mineral resources and the experience of Morocco in the automotive industry to build a strong supply chain for the production of batteries and battery precursors.

• Our take: Harmonised regional policies can help reduce import costs for EVs in Africa… Read more (2 min)

E-motorcycles in SA cost 3x more

• The price of e-motorcycles varies significantly across Africa. In Kenya, an e-motorcycle costs $2,000 on average, while in South Africa, the same e-motorcycle costs $6,000. This price difference is based on a sample of 29 popular e-motorcycle models sold in both countries.

• Similarly, electric bicycle prices vary across countries. In Kenya and Nigeria, the average cost of an e-bicycle is $1,100, while in South Africa, it is $2,200.

• Our take: Currency stability is important in determining product prices… Read more (2 min)

• Spiro’s secret to electrifying Africa’s transport: Spiro aims to transform its customers' charging by introducing flexible charging solutions, including home charging units, to complement its battery-swapping technology. These home charging units empower riders to manage their energy consumption and costs effectively, offering the convenience of overnight charging. With its electric motorbike fleet, Spiro has enabled over 300 million petrol-free kilometres across the continent. (CNBC)

• Localising Africa’s battery manufacturing: According to Warren Ondanje- Director AfEMA, African nations are positioning themselves as key players in the EV value chain by leveraging their vast reserves of critical minerals essential for battery manufacturing. The DR Congo holds 48% of global reserves, Zimbabwe and Namibia possess major deposits of lithium, and South Africa holds one-third of global manganese reserves. Namibia and Zimbabwe have enacted bans on raw mineral exports, showcasing an increasing commitment to local value addition. Despite these efforts, challenges such as underdeveloped supply chains, high costs of refining facilities, and governance issues persist, slowing progress towards domesticated battery processing. (LinkedIn)

• Need for urgent off-grid EV chargers: South Africa faces an urgent need to accelerate its electric vehicle transition to address record-high emissions. While NEV sales in South Africa increased to over 7,100 in the first half of 2024, only about 750 were fully electric. Grid-tied EV charging solutions currently produce 5.8 tonnes of emissions annually—higher than the 4.4 tonnes from petrol-powered cars due to South Africa’s coal-dominated electricity mix. To meet 2030 reduction targets, South Africa must pair EV adoption with a mass rollout of off-grid, renewable EV charging infrastructure to reduce emissions and grid dependency. (Bizcommunity)

________________________________________