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About Us
Ampersand builds affordable electric vehicles and charging systems for the five million motorcycle taxi drivers in
East Africa.
We are creating a world where motorcycle transport is cleaner and more profitable for its consumers than ever before.
Going electric will double a driver’s income now, and leapfrog Africa towards a zero carbon future.
Ampersand is Africa’s first and leading integrated electric motorcycle and transport energy solution. We offer East Africa's five million taxi motorcyclists a commercial electric motorcycle that is cheaper from day one, provides better overall user experience and requires minimal customer behaviour change.
Using technology adapted for the local market and the right business model to achieve scale, our vehicles deliver superior driving performance, emit 75% less carbon than petrol motorcycles with zero tailpipe emissions and put over $500 a year back into drivers' pockets.
In May 2019 Ampersand launched a new era in African mobility with
20 e-motos who are operating on a commercial basis, taking passengers and goods across Kigali.
Ampersand was founded to achieve a crucial tipping point in the fight against climate change: the world's first mass-market electric vehicle that costs less to acquire, maintain and operate than a fuel vehicle.
Years of work has gone into identifying the right market and designing the vehicle and business model hand in hand with our users to get the right fit.
We make the electric option the obvious choice for our customers by putting serious money back into the pockets of low-income drivers and their families.
In the process, we help propel the EV industry to scale and prove to the world that the fuel age is over and electric mobility is for everyone.
OUR TEAM
Based in Kigali, Ampersand has grown from a tiny bootstrapped R&D garage project into East Africa's leading electric vehicle operation, with a team of 43 staff.
All Ampersand motorcycles and batteries are assembled on site by our talented team.
Investing in the next generation of African developers and engineers is crucial to putting Africa on the map and leading the way with new technologies.
That’s why we host a number of intern roles in all departments and are always on the lookout for fresh talent who are excited by our vision.
OUR CUSTOMER
Motorcycle taxis are an indispensable mode of transport across Africa. In cities choking on unplanned growth, moto-taxis effectively navigate congestion while transporting 100M people in East Africa alone every day.
In Rwanda, more than half of all vehicles on the road at any moment are motorcycle taxis. But these motorcycles are not cheap to own, the fuel they burn is expensive, and they produce serious amounts of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Many drivers - or ‘motars’ - spend over $11 daily on fuel and vehicle leasing costs, but take home as little as $1.60 to their families each day.
Our research showed motar behaviour is driven by the goal of maximised earnings, as the income they generate can be used to support up to three people. This means they are dedicated to as much road time as possible, economising every litre of fuel and maintaining happy customers.
REDUCING EMISSIONS
Ampersand motorcycles are designed to outcompete the incumbent 125cc and 150cc petrol motorcycles on power, durability and performance.
Our motorcycles cost less than petrol bikes to lease or buy and half as much to power. They produce 75% less lifecycle greenhouse emissions than petrol motorbikes using grid power, and over 98% less on renewables.
Battery packs are built to our own design and are assembled by our constantly expanding team locally in Rwanda.