CrossBoundary Energy EVx (CBEVx), a new offering under CrossBoundary Energy, and Ampersand Energy today announced commercial operations of a solar-powered battery charging facility, strengthening Ampersand Energy’s emerging e-mobility network that provides renewable energy to electric two-wheelers (E2Ws). This comes after CBEVx financed 150 batteries and charging infrastructure for the energy tech company in 2024.
The facility will supply solar power to charge Ampersand Energy’s batteries for E2Ws that operate taxi and delivery services in the Kitengela area. E2Ws depend on reliable, low-cost energy, and CBEVx has financed the batteries, charging infrastructure, and a 36.9 kWp solar PV system that will produce 51,500 kWh annually, facilitating approximately 200 battery swaps per day. The project demonstrates how financed renewable energy can effectively power the growing electric mobility sector and reduce operational costs for E2Ws, even in contexts with limited grid access or high electricity costs.
Tombo Banda, Managing Director of CrossBoundary Energy EVx, said, “By leveraging CrossBoundary Energy’s expertise in financed, distributed renewable energy solutions, CBEVx is providing a model that makes electric mobility both economically viable and environmentally sustainable for everyday users. It has been a pleasure to work with Ampersand on our first pilot project to demonstrate the scalability of this model.”
Brady Grimes, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Ampersand, said, “Ampersand Energy’s mission has always been to make electric mobility the most affordable and reliable way to move. By working with CrossBoundary Energy EVx, we’re ensuring that every swap station we deploy can operate reliably, sustainably, and with renewable energy sources.”
The project has also secured a first-of-its-kind solar-to-charging station license, establishing a regulatory precedent that will benefit the entire e-mobility sector.
Dr. Eng. Joseph Oketch, Director of Electricity & Renewable Energy at the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), said, “EPRA welcomes this private sector initiative that directly supports our public mandate to foster sustainable energy solutions. The solar electric charging license issued for this project represents our commitment to creating an enabling environment for innovative energy service models. We look forward to continued collaboration with companies like CrossBoundary Energy EVx and Ampersand as we build Kenya’s clean energy future together.”
About CrossBoundary Energy EVx
CrossBoundary Energy EVx (CBEVx) is being developed to provide the growing e-mobility sector in Africa with a one-stop shop solution for scaling charging infrastructure. Working primarily in the electric two-wheeler market, CBEVx partners with e-mobility providers to deliver the clean PV solar to power swap stations and finance the batteries and charging infrastructure within them. This solution supports operators to rapidly expand their charging infrastructure, saves energy costs for drivers and reduces their range anxiety, and enables a pathway to interoperability for the wider sector. CBEVx is a subsidiary of CrossBoundary Energy, a leading provider of distributed renewable energy solutions that develops, owns, and operates projects for the private sector in Africa. Learn more at https://crossboundaryenergy.com/evx/
About Ampersand Energy
Ampersand is Africa’s leading EV energy tech company, cutting carbon emissions & driving clean economic prosperity, by making our EV energy technology and infrastructure accessible to the mass market. Ampersand’s proprietary battery fleet and charging infrastructure powers more than 7,000 zero emission e-motorcycles in Rwanda and Kenya. These motorbikes cost the same to buy and 35% less to run compared to the heavily polluting petrol motorcycles that make up half of all road traffic in Africa. That savings translates to an increase in net take home income of 50-100% for most of Ampersand’s customers. All while cleaning up air quality and improving people’s health. The company is further scaling its climate-led innovation and customer-centric services to more businesses and markets. Ampersand is reshaping how Africa moves. Learn more at https://www.ampersand.energy/