How BYD’s EV batteries will soon power up tens of thousands of electric motorcycles
Electric motorcycles are likely not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of BYD, the world’s leading electric car maker. But thanks to a new agreement, the company’s batteries are heading to Africa, where they’ll be used in Ampersand’s electric motorcycles.
Ampersand is one of several leading electric motorcycle makers in Africa, adding to a growing boom of two-wheeled EV production on the continent.
The company, which currently operates in Rwanda and Kenya, is making significant strides in the African electric vehicle industry. The company focuses on creating zero-emission electric motorcycles that offer an affordable and sustainable alternative to traditional internal combustion engine bikes, which are prevalent across the continent. Ampersand’s innovative approach addresses environmental concerns and provides practical solutions for the millions of motorcycle taxi riders who rely on these vehicles for their livelihood.
Since its inception in 2016, Ampersand has built the largest electric motorcycle fleet in East Africa. Their current fleet of thousands of electric motorcycles has demonstrated the significant benefits of electrification to the local population, including cost savings on fuel and maintenance, improved air quality, and enhanced public health. But if the company is expecting to reach its goal of surpassing 10,000 electric motorcycles produced by the end of this year, it’s going to need a lot more batteries. And that’s where BYD comes in.
The two companies just announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that will see Ampersand purchase BYD’s battery cells to produce around 40,000 electric motorcycles by the end of 2026.
Motorcycle taxis, commonly known as “boda bodas” in East Africa, are a ubiquitous and vital mode of transportation in Africa. They play a crucial role in the daily commute of millions of people, particularly in urban areas where traffic congestion is a significant issue.
This form of transport is popular for its affordability and ease of navigating through dense traffic. It also serves as a primary source of income for many motorcycle riders. The motorcycle taxi industry provides employment to millions, offering a viable economic opportunity in regions with high unemployment rates. The prevalence of these taxis highlights their importance in facilitating mobility, supporting livelihoods, and driving local economies across Africa.
However, the rising cost of fuel and the heavy maintenance load of combustion engine motorcycles has long been a difficulty faced by the industry, and electric motorcycles have sprung up in the last several years as a prudent alternative.
BYD’s lithium iron phosphate battery cells are particularly interesting to Ampersand for its motorcycles thanks to their track record for safety in the chemistry and much longer lifespan, both of which will be critical to commercial motorcycle taxi drivers that use Ampersand’s bikes.
The move comes as BYD has positioned itself as a major battery supplier for other brands, including a recent deal to supply Ford and GM with batteries for their electric vehicles.
via: CleanTechnica
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Environment
U.S. crude oil falls below $60 a barrel to lowest since 2021 on tariff-fueled recession fears
A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025.
Pavel Mikheyev | Reuters
U.S. oil prices dropped below $60 a barrel on Sunday on fears President Donald Trump’s global tariffs would push the U.S., and maybe the world, into a recession.
Futures tied to U.S. West Texas intermediate crude fell more than 3% to $59.74 on Sunday night. The move comes after back-to-back 6% declines last week. WTI is now at the lowest since April 2021.
Worries are mounting that tariffs could lead to higher prices for businesses, which could lead to a slowdown in economic activity that would ultimately hurt demand for oil.
Oil futures, 5 years
The tariffs, which are set to take effect this week, “would likely push the U.S. and possibly global economy into recession this year,” according to JPMorgan. The firm on Thursday raised its odds of a recession this year to 60% following the tariff rollout, up from 40%.
Fueled by incentives from the Illinois EPA and the state’s largest utility company, new EV registrations nearly quadrupled the 12% first-quarter increase in EV registrations nationally – and there are no signs the state is slowing down.
Despite the dramatic slowdown of Tesla’s US deliveries, sales of electric vehicles overall have perked up in recent months, with Illinois’ EV adoption rate well above the Q1 uptick nationally. Crain’s Chicago Business reports that the number of new EVs registered across the state totaled 9,821 January through March, compared with “just” 6,535 EVs registered in the state during the same period in 2024.
Those numbers represent more than 50% growth in EV registrations – far beyond the expected 12% first-quarter increase nationally being projected by Cox Automotive. (!)
What’s going on in Illinois?
While President Trump and Elmo were running for re-election, they campaigned on the threat promise of canceling the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs. Along with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois’ Governor JB Pritzker made countermoves – launching a $4,000 rebate for new electric cars and up to $1,500 for the purchase of a new electric motorcycle.
At the same time, the state’s largest utility, ComEd, launched a $90 million EV incentive program featuring a new Point of Purchase initiative to deliver instant discounts to qualifying business and public sector customers who make the switch to electric vehicles. That program has driven a surge in Class 3-6 medium duty commercial EVs, which are eligible fro $20-30,000 in utility rebates on top of federal tax credits and other incentives (Class 1-2 EVs are eligible for up to $7,500).
We covered the launch of those incentives when the program was announced at Chicago Drives Electric last year, but the message here is simple: incentives work.
SOURCES: Chicago Business, Ray Cunningham; featured image by the author.
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The electric construction equipment experts at XCMG just released a new, 25 ton electric crawler excavator ahead of bauma 2025 – and they have their eye on the global urban construction, mine operations, and logistical material handling markets.
Powered by a high-capacity 400 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery capable of delivering up to 8 hours of continuous operation, the XE215EV electric excavator promises uninterrupted operation at a lower cost of ownership and with even less downtime than its diesel counterparts.
XCMG is delivering on part of that reduced downtime promise with the lower maintenance and easier repair needs of electric equipment, and delivering on the rest of it with lickety-quick DC fast charging that can recharge the machine’s massive battery in 1.5-2 hours … but that’s not the slick bit. The XCMG XE125EV can be powered up without leaving the job site thanks to its BYD battery swap technology.
We first covered XCMG and its battery swap technology back in January, and covered similar battery-swap tech being developed by MOOG Construction offshoot ZQUIP, as well – but while XCMG’s battery tech has been in production for several years, it’s still not widely known about in the West (even within the industry).
XCMG showed off its latest electric equipment at the December 2024 bauma China, including an updated version of its of its 85-ton autonomous electric mining truck that features a fully cab-less design – meaning there isn’t even a place for an operator to sit, let alone operate. And that’s too bad, because what operator wouldn’t want to experience an electric truck putting down 1070 hp more than 16,000 lb-ft of torque!?
Easy in, easy out
The best part? All of the company’s heavy equipment assets – from excavators to terminal tractors to dump trucks and wheel loaders – all use the same 400 kWh BYD battery packs, Milwaukee tool style. That means an equipment fleet can utilize x number of vehicles with a fraction of the total battery capacity and material needs of other asset brands. That’s not just a smart use of limited materials, it’s a smarter use of energy.
You can check out all the XE215EV’s specs at this tear sheet, and get an in-person look at the Chinese company’s latest electric excavator this week in Munich, Germany.
SOURCE | IMAGES: XCMG.
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