Vivo Energy and SUN Mobility have launched Kenya’s first open-architecture electric vehicle battery-swapping network. The partnership is already turning selected Shell fuel stations into multi-energy hubs and positions Kenya as the starting point for a major five-year expansion across Africa.
Electric motorcycle battery being swapped at a Shell station in Nairobi as part of the new open network. Riders can now replace a flat battery with a full one in less than two minutes.
The network went live on 21 August 2026 with 35 stations already operating across Nairobi and Mombasa. Vivo Energy is hosting 20 of these stations at its Shell-branded service stations. This means commercial riders can now swap batteries at places they already visit every day for fuel, air, or quick shopping.
How the System Works
Riders of electric motorcycles (boda-bodas), scooters, passenger tuk-tuks and cargo three-wheelers simply pull into a station, remove a depleted battery and insert a fully charged one. The entire process takes less than two minutes. There is no need to wait hours for a charge or carry heavy cables.
The key difference with this network is that it is open. Vehicles from more than ten different manufacturers work on the same stations. At launch, the supported brands include Afrina Neopower, BGauss, Fika Mobility, Motovolt, Odysse, Piaggio, QJ-YY, Sprocomm, VMoto and Wylex. More brands are expected to join as the network grows.
This open approach solves a major problem that has slowed electric vehicle growth in Kenya. Previously, many riders hesitated because they did not want to be locked into one brand’s private network. Now they can choose the vehicle that suits their needs and still use the same convenient swap stations.
Real Savings for Everyday Riders
For commercial riders, the biggest attraction is lower running costs. According to the partners, a rider covering about 100 km a day can save around 20% compared with using a petrol bike. Those who cover 150 km daily can save roughly 35%.
These savings matter in a country where fuel prices remain high and many boda-boda and tuk-tuk operators work long hours to support their families. Lower daily costs mean more money stays in the rider’s pocket at the end of the day. It also makes it easier for new riders to enter the electric market because they do not have to buy an expensive battery upfront. They simply pay for the energy they use through the swap system.
What This Means for Kenya and Kenyans
This launch is more than a new technology project. It has practical benefits for ordinary Kenyans and for the country’s broader transport goals.
First, it supports cleaner air in Nairobi and Mombasa. Two- and three-wheelers make up a large share of daily urban transport. When more of them switch to electric power, exhaust fumes and noise drop, especially in congested areas where people live and work.
Second, it creates new economic opportunities. Local mechanics, spare parts dealers and small businesses around Shell stations can begin offering services related to electric vehicles. Young people looking for work in the green economy now have a growing sector that needs technicians, station attendants and logistics support.
Third, it strengthens Kenya’s position as a regional leader in practical electric mobility. While many African countries are still talking about electric vehicles, Kenya already has a working open network that other nations can study and copy. The partnership with Vivo Energy means the same model can later expand into neighbouring countries using existing Shell and Engen stations.
For ordinary Kenyans who rely on boda-bodas and tuk-tuks every day, the change should eventually mean more reliable, quieter and cheaper transport options. For the riders themselves, it offers a realistic path to lower costs without the fear of being stuck with a flat battery far from a charging point.
Related:TVS Launches iQube Electric Scooter in Kenya via Car & General
Plans for the Next Five Years
SUN Mobility plans to roll out 2,500 battery-swapping stations across Africa over the next five years. These stations are expected to support more than 160,000 electric vehicles. The company will use Vivo Energy’s large network of over 4,200 Shell and Engen stations in 29 African countries.
Kenya is the first market in this plan. Vivo Energy sees the project as a long-term shift. Its stations will no longer only sell fuel. They will offer fuel, battery swaps, electric vehicle charging and convenience shopping in one place. This multi-energy model is expected to become more common as more Kenyans adopt electric options.
In the coming months, more vehicles from the listed brands are scheduled to arrive, and additional stations will open first in Nairobi and Mombasa before expanding to other towns.
Looking Ahead
The launch of this open battery-swapping network is a practical step forward for Kenya’s electric mobility journey. It removes real barriers that have held back many commercial riders and gives manufacturers a shared platform instead of forcing each one to build its own infrastructure.
If the network continues to grow as planned, more Kenyans will feel the benefits in their daily transport costs, in cleaner city air, and in new job opportunities linked to the electric vehicle sector. For now, the 35 stations already operating in Nairobi and Mombasa give riders a clear starting point and signal that electric mobility in Kenya is moving from talk into everyday reality.
Sources
- Business Today – SUN Mobility launches battery swapping network
- The 254 Report – Vivo Energy and SUN Mobility partnership details
- CNBC Africa – Official launch coverage
- Official SUN Mobility and Vivo Energy announcements, August 2026