Charge Up! Battery as a Service
A pioneering business model for driving the e-mobility transition in Africa
Charge Up! is a collaboration between Energy 4 Impact, Arc Ride, Fika Mobility, Imperial College London and Strathmore University. Between February 2022 and April 2023, Charge Up! established a network of charging stations in Nairobi, Kenya, to test the commercial viability of a 'Battery aa a Service' (BaaS) model. This report investigates distinct models that may be employed in the deployment of e-bike fleets and charging/swapping infrastructures in sub-Saharan Africa. It seeks to elucidate the potential advantages of battery swapping for riders, such as ready access to charged-up batteries, reductions in time-consuming charging processes and fuel cost savings. Furthermore, it highlights emerging best practice for BaaS and provides recommendations on policy, regulation and financing to support uptake of e-motorcycles and the growth of BaaS in Kenya.