We all have different ideas about the future of mobility. While many of us purists would love to see things stay the way they are, i.e. gasoline-powered internal combustion engines, it’s true that society is moving towards more sustainable alternatives. it is clear.
So the future of mobility, at least for now, looks to be largely very electric. However, there are many different ways to obtain power. For example, in the dry, sunny deserts of Africa, the sun’s cosmic rays are used to generate energy for travel.
EV bike startup Roam Electric is demonstrating this in a daring adventure in which two Roam Air electric bikes embark on a 6,000 km (3,728 mile) journey in partnership with Stellenbosch University.
Roam Air is the company’s vision for the electric workhorse of the future. This is a simple electric bike that is compact yet robust. Easy to repair, easy to ride and capable of conquering the harsh landscapes of the African continent. It can be easily loaded for last-mile deliveries and can also be used for people transportation or personal commuting.
rohm electric
Yes, it is a very versatile machine. It’s no surprise, then, that this bike was subjected to extensive torture tests, taking it from downtown Nairobi to the shores of South Africa.
But there’s a kicker.
Rather than planning a route that includes pit stops at charging and battery swap stations, ROHM’s mission will see the bikes rely solely on solar power to charge their batteries. No, they don’t ride around with giant solar panels attached to their bikes, but instead are followed by a platoon of two solar-powered vehicles to ensure a constant backup supply of batteries.
Rohm makes sure to use no fossil fuels during the trip, only old-fashioned solar juice.
rohm electric
So, you may be wondering: What on earth is the point of this long-distance trip if Rohm Air is accompanied by a support vehicle? Well, this isn’t really to showcase the capabilities of the Roam Air or electric bikes in general. We know that EVs can travel long distances as long as they keep their batteries full.
Instead, Rohm’s goal here is to prove that the sun is an incredible energy source with the potential to transform not just Africa, but the world. If Rohm’s 3,700-mile journey is successful, solar-powered charging and battery-swapping stations will be installed across the region, effectively making long-distance mobility viable for more people. may be an option.
