"Deployment of e-Mobility in the Republic of Kenya" Industrial cooperation program in the Global South through technology transfer from Japan 2024

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Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. (Global Headquarters: Toyohashi-city, Aichi, Japan; President and CEO: Hiroshi Otsuka, “Musashi”) is pleased to announce that our project to promote the spread of e-mobility in the Republic of Kenya has been selected as “Industrial Cooperation Program in the Global South Through Technology Transfer from Japan 2024” Through this project, we aim to accelerate the deployment and adoption of two-wheel e-mobility, striving for the realization of a prosperous global society in harmony with people and the environment.
▲Two-wheeled electric vehicles and battery swapping stations from ARC Ride

【Background of the Project】

In 2021, Musashi invested in ARC Ride Ltd. (Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya; CEO: Jo Hurst-Croft; hereinafter "ARC Ride"), Africa’s leading Battery-as-a-Service infrastructure provider and manufacturer of electric motorcycles. Musashi aims to launch electric motorcycles equipped with the E-axle (an integrated motor unit with a gearbox for electric motorcycles) developed by Musashi in Kenya. Furthermore, in February 2024, Musashi made an additional investment to expand collaboration with ARC Ride. Through this initiative, we aim to contribute to the realization of carbon-neutral transportation promoted by the Kenyan government.

【Purpose of the Project】

The project will be supporting the accelerated rollout of the ARC Ride ecosystem for electric motorcycles, including electric motorcycles, batteries, battery swapping stations, and digital services in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. This will be done in collaboration with ARC Ride and with support from the Japanese government. Through this project, we aim to achieve the following goals.

1. Reduction of Environmental Impact: By promoting the use of electric motorcycles, we aim to reduce CO2 emissions, contribute to environmental protection in Kenya, and create carbon credits.
2. Improvement of Driver Convenience and Safety: By utilizing IoT technology to optimize battery systems and swapping stations, we aim to enhance the convenience and safety of drivers.
3. Promote the mass adoption of Electric 2 wheel vehicles through widespread information

By 2030, we aim to advance the construction of an ecosystem for electric motorcycles in additional major Kenyan cities and across East Africa. Based on the data and demonstration results obtained through this project, we will further research and develop, aiming for the global expansion of two-wheel; e-Mobility.

【About Musashi】

Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. is a global auto parts Tier1 company for automobiles and motorcycles, whose headquarters is located in Toyohashi, Japan. It has 36 manufacturing sites spreading across Europe, North and South America, China, and South East Asia. Musashi specializes in designing, developing and manufacturing products such as Differential Assemblies, Transmission Gears and Assemblies, and Linkage and Suspension (L&S) products especially for the future automobiles including electric and autonomous vehicles. Musashi is also generating and expanding new businesses through open innovation with global startups to contribute to the SDGs in wider business domains. Musashi AI, a leading-edge AI technology subsidiary to lead Industry 4.0, is one of the examples.
Musashi Web Site: https://www.musashi.co.jp/en/

【About ARC Ride】

ARC Ride is a leading Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) infrastructure provider for electric 2 & 3 wheel vehicles across Africa and has created an EV ecosystem that supports the transition to clean energy mobility systems. ARC Ride designs, builds and assembles Electric 2 wheelers and 3 wheelers as well as a proprietary battery swapping and management platform. ARC Ride enables existing first and last mile transport solutions to go electric and empowers a new generation of commuters to embrace personal E-mobility. We are at the forefront of the E-mobility revolution sweeping across Africa.
ARC Ride Website: http://arcrideglobal.com