Roam Rapid: The New Electric Bus for Africa

With its 384 kWh battery, the new Roam Rapid promises a range of 360 km.

Founded in 2017, the Swedish company Roam aims to offer a complete line of electric vehicles suited for the African continent. To better understand the needs of this region, it has set up operations in Kenya, in the city of Nairobi.

For example, Roam has developed its own removable battery electric motorcycle. But its ambitions are not limited to the two-wheeled sector. Simultaneously, the company also offers retrofit solutions for 4x4s such as the Toyota Land Cruiser or Land Rover Defender. It also plans to introduce electric buses on African roads. The Rapid, which interests us today, was officially launched a few days ago. Capable of carrying up to 90 passengers, it was specifically designed for urban transportation.

Although Roam’s approach is quite unique, the finished product remains very conventional. In fact, nothing clearly distinguishes the Rapid from the buses that circulate in our cities. It features air conditioning, access ramps for wheelchair users, and seats reserved for the elderly, just like other urban buses.

An electric bus assembled in Africa

The Roam Rapid measures 12.5 meters in length, weighs 18,000 kilos, and can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h. It is equipped with a 384 kWh battery pack, which would allow it to travel 360 km on a single charge. With appropriate infrastructure, the bus can fully restore its autonomy in less than two hours.

Like other vehicles marketed by Roam, the Rapid is assembled in Africa. To justify a necessarily higher purchase price (which is not clearly disclosed), the company highlights a particularly low operating cost, which could allow the initial investment to be recouped after a few years.

Read also: XBus: the small electric van of the 21st century?