Kenyan-based electric vehicle manufacturer Roam has signed a partnership with Hitachi Europe Ltd to make electric transport accessible in Africa.
Hitachi is a technology leader that enables sustainable mobility in cities.
The collaboration will focus on electrification in Kenya and will be geared towards increasing the number of electric motorcycles and buses available for public transport.
Albin Wilson, Chief Strategy and Product Officer at Roam said, “We are pleased to have a strong partner in Hitachi. We are innovating clean energy technologies to support our customers by purposefully collaborating with industry pioneers who share our mission to transform the way we move around our world.”
Last year, Roam was among two finalists of the prestigious Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2020.
Each winner of the Earthshot Prize receives £1 million( Ksh.135 million) grant to further their project. According to Roam, the new partnership formed with Hitachi was made possible by the Earthshot Prize.
“Roam shares our vision of achieving a net-zero society and we are delighted to be providing support to help make electric vehicles more accessible and cost-efficient in Africa,” said Chris Saul, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, Hitachi Europe Ltd, and Earthshot Prize Finalist Advisor for Roam.
