To aid Nigeria’s pursuit of a carbon-free environment , the Taiwanese Mission in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Swiss-Nigerian startup AaraGo, launched electric bikes on Thursday capable of travelling 150 kilometres on a single charge.
AaraGo’s co-founder, Olumide Adeosun, explained that the bikes were designed to promote a greener future, reduce reliance on fuel, and provide diverse energy solutions for Nigerians.
The launch event, themed “Electrify Lagos: Driving a Greener Tomorrow with Sustainable Two-Wheeler Mobility,” was supported by the Taiwan Mission in Lagos and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
Adeosun shared that AaraGo’s mission has always been to offer sustainable, efficient, and accessible transportation options to reduce carbon emissions. He pointed out that Nigeria has over five million bikes, many of which consume five to seven liters of petrol daily, creating an opportunity to transition to cleaner energy solutions.
“Our solution is entirely off-grid,” he said.
He acknowledged that Lagos faces challenges like traffic congestion, air pollution, and high energy consumption but emphasized the abundance of opportunities to address these issues through cleaner alternatives.
“We aim to accelerate the shift to greener mobility and break the myth that Nigeria lacks the power infrastructure to go electric,” Adeosun added.
Also AaraGo’s partnership with Taiwan’s KYMCO, a leader in battery technology, has led to the introduction of the Ionex/KYMCO solar-powered battery swap station in Africa, the first of its kind globally.
Adeosun expressed pride in this historic achievement, noting the potential of Taiwan’s innovative battery technology.
Margaret Ho, Vice President of Business Development at Ionex/KYMCO, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, noting the scalability and modularity of the new energy station.
“We are empowering riders globally with durable, long-lasting batteries,” she said.
AaraGo’s CEO, Philip Handschin, emphasized the significant cost savings of electric bikes, citing lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts and the absence of regular oil changes or engine repairs. He also pointed out that the bike’s battery swap subscription ensures predictable costs, unlike traditional fuel-powered bikes, where fuel price fluctuations are a concern.
Taiwan’s Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Andy Yih-Ping, stated that the launch was a demonstration of Taiwan’s technological prowess and commitment to empowering Africa through innovation.
“Taiwan is a reliable technology partner, bringing advanced technology to Africa to differentiate ourselves from other global powers,” he said.
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