Electric mobility firm Ampersand Energy has announced a major strategic shift by opening its battery swap network to global electric vehicle manufacturers. This move is designed to accelerate e-motorcycle adoption across Africa’s vast commercial transport sector. By focusing on energy infrastructure, the company aims to create a standardized, reliable platform to support a diverse range of electric vehicles.
A Strategic Pivot to Energy Infrastructure
Since its 2019 launch, Ampersand has operated a vertically integrated model, building its own motorcycles powered by a proprietary battery system to ensure reliability. This approach allowed the company to guarantee performance in a market where many EV startups struggle with downtime and poor battery life. Now, it is leveraging six years of operational data and research to unbundle its most profitable component.
CEO Josh Whale explained the pivot is driven by strong market demand from both manufacturers and riders seeking access to their proven energy solution. He stated that the company adds the most value on the energy side with its batteries, swap stations, and software. This new strategy marks a significant change, prioritizing a shared energy platform over competition in vehicle hardware.
Inaugural Partnership and Market Entry
The first manufacturer to join this open ecosystem is established Asian EV producer, Wylex Mobility. Under the agreement, Wylex will supply its motorcycle hardware for the East African market while leveraging Ampersand’s batteries and swap stations. The new motorcycles will be assembled in Nairobi and made available to riders through existing asset-finance partners.
Wylex CEO Eileen Huang highlighted the partnership's foundation on complementary strengths, citing her company's decades of engineering experience in building robust vehicles. She identified Ampersand’s reliable swap network and customer understanding as the ideal combination for Wylex's entry into the region. This collaboration allows both companies to focus on their core competencies while expanding their market presence.
Fostering Competition and Customer Choice
This partnership introduces a unique dynamic, as Wylex motorcycles will now directly compete with Ampersand’s own flagship Alpha model on the same network. Whale embraces this development, calling it a healthy move that benefits consumers with more choice and features, such as Wylex's popular flat seat design. This strategy prioritizes expanding the market over protecting a single proprietary vehicle.
Scaling for a Continental Transition
The opportunity in Africa is immense, with an estimated 27 million commercial motorcycles operating in the Sub-Saharan region. In Kenya alone, electric models accounted for 7.1% of new motorcycle registrations in 2024, signaling a clear market shift. Ampersand’s infrastructure is built to capture this growth by providing a scalable and cost-effective energy solution for this massive market.
Ampersand already facilitates over 20,000 battery swaps daily across Kenya and Rwanda, saving riders approximately 35% on fuel costs. The company plans to build 50 to 60 swap stations in key cities like Nairobi and Kigali, each capable of supporting up to 150,000 motorcycles. This expansion reflects a vision where reliable energy access is the primary driver of the transition.
Ampersand Energy's decision to open its network represents a pivotal moment for electric mobility in Africa, shifting the focus from vehicle manufacturing to energy infrastructure. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, the company is laying the groundwork for a continent-wide transition to cleaner transport. This bold strategy suggests that a shared, reliable power network is the key to unlocking sustainable growth and empowering riders across the region.
Source: Techcabal