Skoot Technology on Wednesday launched an electric three-wheeler in Kenya powered by SUN Mobility’s battery swapping system, targeting urban transport and delivery drivers seeking lower operating costs.
The vehicle, branded the Skoot e3W, combines a Piaggio-designed three-wheeler distributed by Car & General with SUN Mobility’s battery swapping platform. The companies said the model has been tested in Nairobi over the past two years under local road and load conditions.
Drivers using the vehicle travel about 150 kilometres per day on average, according to Skoot. The company said that distance would cost approximately 650 Kenyan shillings ($X) using SUN Mobility’s battery swapping network, compared with around 850 shillings for diesel, representing savings of up to 30%.
Battery swaps take a few minutes, allowing drivers to reduce downtime compared with conventional charging, the companies said.
The Skoot e3W will be offered under daily, weekly and monthly lease options starting from 1,200 shillings per day, inclusive of maintenance.
Skoot Chief Executive and Co-Founder Sacha Cook said the company aims to integrate mobility, energy and digital services through a single mobile platform that allows drivers to manage leases, locate swap stations and access delivery work.
SUN Mobility, which operates more than 1,000 battery swap stations across 25 cities in India, is expanding into Kenya as part of its international growth strategy. The company says it powers more than 60,000 vehicles globally and has enabled over 465 million kilometres of electric travel.
Car & General, established in 1936 and a distributor of Piaggio three-wheelers in East Africa, said the partnership would leverage its national service network and experience in the regional mobility market.
The companies said further expansion of the battery swapping network is planned in the coming months.