Strong, fast, good and economical! Chinese gene “boda-boda” attracts fans in Kenya
Nairobi, May 16th: In East Africa, the two-wheeled rental motorcycles "boda-boda" and three-wheeled "tuk-tuk" represent the constant flow of "fireworks" in the market. The flexibility to shuttle through congested city streets and the relatively low cost have made them an integral part of local life and even a cultural symbol.
At present, Hanlin, a new energy company from China with roots in Kenya, is committed to integrating into Africa’s unique “road culture” in a green and sustainable way. What kind of sparks will they create? Lets come look--
This is May 2, 2024. A customer test-drove an electric motorcycle at Hanlin Company in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo by reporter Li Yahui
This year is the second year that 27-year-old Moses Kimani has joined Hanlin. As a university graduate in geography and environmental sciences, he is very optimistic about his career prospects as a marketing manager.
Kimani was full of praise for the self-produced "boda-boda": "The starting speed and acceleration performance of electric motorcycles are very strong, not inferior to fuel motorcycles at all." He said that many customers who come here are impressed after the test drive. They were all surprised that electric motorcycles have such powerful power and can easily cope with various road conditions.
On May 2, 2024, at Hanlin Company in Nairobi, Kenya, a technician was assembling an electric motorcycle. Photo by reporter Li Yahui
According to Hanlin Chairman Liu Huixiang, Hanlin is actually a Kenyan brand with Chinese genes. New energy components are purchased from China and assembled locally according to Kenya's climate, terrain and user habits.
"Hanlin is the first foreign new energy company to do this, and it is also an important reason why our electric 'boda' is favored by local customers," Liu Huixiang said.
Whether traveling through busy city streets or driving on country roads, electric motorcycles perform well and are at ease. Kimani said that the electric motorcycle starts smoothly and gives drivers a smooth driving experience. "It is very suitable for our traffic environment and is both flexible and efficient."
Like Kimani, Hanlin has attracted many young Kenyans who agree with the concept of new energy and environmental protection to join. They include both university graduates and front-line skilled workers, and they are all proud to work in the new energy field and learn from China's advanced technology.
Kimani said that most motorcycle riders are young people and are more sympathetic to the concept of green travel. Kenya is one of the countries severely affected by climate change. This year's rare rainfall has severely affected Kenya. New energy vehicles undoubtedly have obvious advantages over traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles in terms of energy conservation, emission reduction and exhaust pollution reduction.
Erin Muti, a 24-year-old college graduate majoring in sales and marketing, is Hanlin's sales representative. She said that with electric "boda-boda" "tuk-tuk" and electric bicycles appearing on the streets, Kenyans' understanding and acceptance of new energy vehicles have increased significantly. Most of Hanlin's customers are young people, who are more aware of and recognize the low maintenance costs and environmentally friendly benefits of new energy vehicles.
After test driving a Hanlin electric motorcycle, 38-year-old Isaac Engetich became more willing to buy it. He said that electric motorcycles can save him 500 Kenyan shillings a day and are more comfortable than fuel-powered ones when driving long distances.
According to reports, since Hanlin electric motorcycles began to be assembled and sold in Kenya in June last year, sales have increased steadily. Hanlin will open its second directly-operated store in Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city.
This is the electric motorcycle displayed by Hanlin Company taken in Nairobi, Kenya on May 2, 2024. Photo by 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% by 2025 of new cars are new energy vehicles, and the market prospects are very broad.
Liu Huixiang said that currently, most of the company's more than 30 employees are local Kenyans. The company's strategy is to insist on localized operations and cultivate a reliable operation and sales team. "Only such green investment makes sense."
