Blogs
Why electric motorcycles need shared battery swap infrastructure, not separate networks
Uganda’s electric mobility revolution will not be won by one company or one brand, but by building an infrastructure ecosystem where innovation can compete and collaboration can connect the country.
Joseph Walusimbi. (Courtesy)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
_____________
OPINION
By Joseph Walusimbi
Uganda’s electric mobility future depends not only on who builds the best electric motorcycles, but also on the infrastructure that supports the ecosystem.
Uganda already has a growing electric motorcycle sector, with companies such as GOGO Electric, SPIRO, MOCOO, Zembo and other innovators investing in electric mobility solutions.
These companies are playing a key role in introducing electric motorcycles, battery swap systems and service networks. But as the sector grows, we need to think beyond individual networks and build a connected ecosystem.
The question is: should every electric motorcycle company build separate battery swap stations and service centres nationwide?
The automotive and telecommunications industries offer valuable lessons. Vehicle manufacturers compete by building better vehicles, but they all rely on the same shared fuel station networks. Similarly, MTN and Airtel Uganda compete in telecommunications, but mobile money agents serve customers across both networks, and many also provide agent banking. The system works because the infrastructure is harmonised around customer convenience, not competition.
These companies are playing a key role in introducing electric motorcycles, battery swap systems and service networks. But as the sector grows, we need to think beyond individual networks and build a connected ecosystem.
The question is: should every electric motorcycle company build separate battery swap stations and service centres nationwide?
The automotive and telecommunications industries offer valuable lessons. Vehicle manufacturers compete by building better vehicles, but they all rely on the same shared fuel station networks. Similarly, MTN and Airtel Uganda compete in telecommunications, but mobile money agents serve customers across both networks, and many also provide agent banking. The system works because the infrastructure is harmonised around customer convenience, not competition.
Electric mobility can adopt the same approach. Instead of fragmented networks, Uganda can develop shared battery swap and EV mobility hubs that support multiple electric motorcycle brands through standardised systems. These hubs could offer battery swapping, charging services, servicing and repairs, diagnostics and battery health monitoring, and spare parts and technical support.
A shared infrastructure model would reduce duplication of investment, expand access to battery services, create technical jobs and accelerate electric mobility adoption. This does not mean companies should stop competing. Competition should remain in vehicle design, battery technology, affordability, customer experience and innovation. The supporting infrastructure can become a shared foundation that allows the entire industry to grow.
This requires collaboration between EV companies, investors, researchers and institutions, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat in the Office of the President and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards.
The opportunity extends beyond motorcycles. As electric cars, buses and commercial vehicles grow, shared and interoperable infrastructure will become even more important. The future of electric mobility will not be built through isolated networks, but through collaboration, standardisation and shared infrastructure.
The writer is a third year student of B.Eng. (Electronics and Computer Engineering), Soroti University mrjosephwalusimbi@gmail.com
A shared infrastructure model would reduce duplication of investment, expand access to battery services, create technical jobs and accelerate electric mobility adoption. This does not mean companies should stop competing. Competition should remain in vehicle design, battery technology, affordability, customer experience and innovation. The supporting infrastructure can become a shared foundation that allows the entire industry to grow.
This requires collaboration between EV companies, investors, researchers and institutions, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat in the Office of the President and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards.
The opportunity extends beyond motorcycles. As electric cars, buses and commercial vehicles grow, shared and interoperable infrastructure will become even more important. The future of electric mobility will not be built through isolated networks, but through collaboration, standardisation and shared infrastructure.
The writer is a third year student of B.Eng. (Electronics and Computer Engineering), Soroti University mrjosephwalusimbi@gmail.com