NAIROBI, May 16 (Xinhua) -- In East Africa, the two-wheeled "boda-boda" and three-wheeled "tuk-tuk" motorcycles represent the endless flow of "fireworks" in the market. The flexibility to navigate congested city streets, as well as their relatively low cost, make them an integral part of local life and even a cultural symbol.
At present, a new energy company from China and rooted in Kenya, Hanlin (Africa) is committed to integrating into Africa's unique "road culture" in a green and sustainable way. Let's take a look——
This is May 2, 2024, a customer test drives an electric motorcycle at Hanlin (Africa) in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yahui
A Kenyan brand of Chinese genes
This year marks the second year that 27-year-old Moshe Kimani has joined Hanlin Africa. As a university graduate majoring in Geography and Environmental Sciences, he is very optimistic about his career prospects as a marketing manager.
Kimani is full of praise for his own "boda-boda": "The starting speed and acceleration performance of electric motorcycles are very strong, and they are not inferior to petrol motorcycles. He said that many customers who came to the company were surprised after a test drive that the electric motorcycle had such power and could easily handle all kinds of road conditions.
A technician assembles an electric motorcycle at Hanlin Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, May 2, 2024. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yahui
In the view of Liu Huixiang, chairman of Hanlin (Africa), Hanlin is actually a Kenyan brand with Chinese genes. The new energy components are procured from China and assembled locally according to Kenya's climate, topography and user habits.
"Hanlin (Africa) is the first foreign new energy company to do this, which is also an important reason why our electric 'BODA' can be favored by local customers," Liu said.
Whether you're navigating busy city streets or driving down country lanes, electric motorcycles excel and are at their disposal. Kimani said that the electric motorcycle has a smooth start and gives the driver a smooth driving experience, "It is very suitable for the traffic environment on our side, it is both flexible and efficient".
New energy "circle fans" local young people
Like Kimani, Hanlin Africa has attracted many young Kenyans who share the concept of new energy and environmental protection. Among them, there are both university graduates and front-line skilled workers, and they are proud to work in the field of new energy and learn China's advanced technology.
Kimani said that most of the motorcycle riders are young people who are more likely to identify with the concept of green travel. Kenya is one of the countries most affected by climate change, and this year's rare rainfall has hit Kenya hard. New energy vehicles undoubtedly have obvious advantages over traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles in terms of energy saving, emission reduction and emission reduction and reduction of exhaust pollution.
Erin Muti, a 24-year-old university graduate in sales and marketing, is a sales representative at Hanlin Africa. She said that with the emergence of electric "boda-boda", "tuk-tuk" and e-bikes on the streets, Kenyans' understanding and acceptance of new energy vehicles has increased significantly. Most of our customers are young people, and they have a better understanding and recognition of the low maintenance cost and environmentally friendly benefits of new energy vehicles.
38-year-old Isaac Engetic became even more interested in buying an electric motorcycle after he test-drove an electric motorcycle. He said that electric motorcycles can save him 500 Kenyan shillings (about 25 yuan) a day, and if you drive long distances, electric motorcycles are more comfortable than gasoline.
The "green" market has broad prospects
According to reports, since Hanlin electric motorcycles began to be assembled and sold in Kenya in June last year, sales have risen steadily. Hanlin Africa will open its second directly-operated store in Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city.
This is an electric motorcycle displayed by Hanlin Africa on May 2, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yahui
According to data released by the Kenya Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, as of December 2023, new energy vehicles accounted for 1.62% of the more than 160,000 newly registered motor vehicles in Kenya, and Kenya's goal is to have at least 5% of new vehicles by 2025, and the market prospect is very broad.
Liu Huixiang said that most of the company's more than 30 employees are Kenyan locals. The company's strategy is to adhere to local operations and cultivate a reliable management and sales team, "such a green investment is meaningful".
Source: Xinhua News Agency
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