Swiss Partners
Eride GmbH, Zürich
eride.africa
Jacob Anz
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Swiss Contribution
Eride Ltd. is a young company from Zurich, whose founder, Jacob Anz, has spent much time in Zambia in recent years. Eride’s vision is to establish sustainable mobility in sub-Saharan Africa’s countries. In light of this, an electric motorcycle was designed and built which will to be launched within the local market through different business models.
Description
Eride Ltd. is planning a pilot project in Zambia that will demonstrate the feasibility, benefits and economic viability of solar-chargeable battery systems suitable for powering rural homes, in combination with an electric means of transport.
Suitable for African roads and conditions, the new system combines an affordable, electric motorcycle powered by a removable, portable lithium-ion battery. This portable battery can also be used as part of a solar home system, providing electricity for lights, television and a refrigerator inside houses and for powering a farm’s water pump. Through the Holland Greentech partner, a group of 20 smallholder farmers will be given the opportunity to use the e-motorcycle system and solar battery system to improve both their own standard of living and increase their own farms’ productivity and profitability. Afridelivery plans to replace part of its fleet of petrol-driven motorcycles with e-motorcycles. This will reduce both emissions and maintenance costs.
Results
Eride was able to move into new premises in Lusaka and start production of the first motorbikes on site. The development of the monitoring system was finalised in advance. While version 1 of the motorbikes is now being assembled in Lusaka and is already rolling down the streets, work is continuing in parallel on the further development of the battery and motorbike.