Ampersand Unveils Upgraded Electric Motorcycle Named “Alpha”

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The transition to electric in Africa’s motorcycle taxi industry is shaping up nicely now. Several companies operating in key markets are scaling up their operations. One of the leading players in this industry is Ampersand. Ampersand currently has operations in Rwanda and Kenya. Ampersand powers over 5,700 electric motorcycles that are now traveling an average of 950,000 km daily. That’s the equivalent of traveling 100 times from Cape of Good Hope to Cairo daily.

Ampersand is actually an electric vehicle energy tech company, not just a motorcycle company, and is now positioning its branding to reflect this. In a major step along this journey, Ampersand has just unveiled the latest version of its flagship electric motorcycle, formerly known as the Ampersand Motorcycle. The upgraded motorcycle will now be known as “Alpha.” Alpha is a separate brand identity for the Ampersand motorcycle that reflects both its pioneering legacy as the first commercial electric motorcycle in Africa, as well as distinguishing the motorcycle brand from Ampersand’s core energy technology and swap station business.

Since its inception as Africa’s first e-mobility startup, Ampersand has been at the forefront of cutting carbon emissions and driving clean economic prosperity by making EV energy technology and infrastructure accessible to the mass market. On top of that, Ampersand says it is delivering life-changing savings for its customers, improving air quality, and enhancing public health. Now, with the introduction of the Alpha brand, Ampersand says it is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to ensuring customers have the best e-motorcycles available, while also providing clean, reliable energy to a growing list of mobility partners.

I was recently in Rwanda, and I was amazed to see the sheer number of motorcycle taxis on the streets of Kigali. Driving from the airport on the evening of my arrival, I could already see swarms of riders going about their business in Kigali. What really struck me is that although there are thousands of these motorcycles on the streets of Kigali, it is not as chaotic as in other parts of the world.

What also stood out to me was the fact that you don’t even need to look out for electric motorcycles. They are literally everywhere and easy to spot. That already gives you an idea of the growing market share of electric motorcycles anecdotally. Well, the good news is there is so much progress in Rwanda and now we are starting to get some good data to showcase all this growth!

One thing that is pretty distinct is that you see a lot of Ampersand bikes on the road. You can’t miss them with their bright yellow battery packs. Ampersand says this is due to all the hard work the company has put in over the years. “The market has spoken with overwhelming clarity: 9 out of 10 riders in Rwanda choose Alpha e-motos (formerly Ampersand) over competitors, including well-funded international alternatives. This extraordinary preference isn’t coincidental—it’s built on tangible advantages that matter to daily users, derived from years of on-the-ground experience and vertically integrated R&D and manufacturing. Riders consistently cite Alpha’s unmatched reliability, superior range, and exceptional cost savings, which directly impact their livelihoods.”

Ampersand adds that independent comparisons show that the Ampersand motorcycle (now Alpha motorcycle) delivers up to 40% more operational hours between maintenance, consistently outperforming alternatives in Rwanda and Kenya’s challenging terrain and conditions. Most tellingly, Alpha’s rider retention rate exceeds 98%.

Let’s take a look at the upgrades that have been incorporated in the new Alpha electric motorcycle, which Ampersand says are based on direct feedback from thousands of users. Ampersand says the new Alpha model boasts over 50 enhancements, including:

• A more rugged front tyre and reinforced wheel rim — Engineered for superior off-road performance, this upgrade provides enhanced traction and puncture resistance for riders who frequently navigate unpaved roads and rough terrain.
• Hill Park Device — This innovative feature prevents rollback on steep inclines, ensuring safer hill starts and reducing rider fatigue during frequent stops on slopes.
• Improved rebound damping — The upgraded suspension system delivers smoother shock absorption, offering greater comfort and control on uneven roads while reducing strain on the bike’s frame.
• Regenerative braking button — Riders can now manually engage regenerative braking to extend battery range while maintaining better speed control, particularly useful during downhill rides.
• Improved turning radius with ergonomic handlebars — The enhanced steering system allows for tighter manoeuvres in urban traffic and confined spaces, and ergonomic handlebars reduce rider fatigue.
• Heavy-duty upper triple clamp — This reinforced component increases steering column durability, providing improved stability and handling under heavy loads or at higher speeds.
• Upgraded steering head bearings — Delivering smoother steering response and reduced friction, these premium bearings enhance control precision and extend the bike’s operational lifespan.

Ampersand says some additional features include a durable metal front mudguard, improved braking efficiency, a rugged rear tire, and increased seating comfort. Riders will also appreciate the added convenience of tank storage space — making the new Alpha more capable and rider-friendly than ever.

Last year, BYD signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ampersand to collaborate in the electric motorcycle sector. Ampersand will purchase BYD’s high-tech battery cells to build around 40,000 electric motorcycles by the end of 2026, with the long-term goal of electrifying a large portion of Africa’s 30 million commercial motorbikes. BYD’s cutting-edge lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells have a long lifespan, have an excellent safety record, and are affordable for everyday users, making them ideal for mass-market electrification. These new Alpha electric motorcycles will get BYD-based battery packs soon.

“The Alpha motorcycle represents the culmination of years of learning, innovation, and collaboration with our riders,” said Muhamed Ceesay, Senior Hardware Product Manager at Ampersand. “Every improvement we’ve made is a direct response to the needs of our customers, ensuring that Alpha continues to deliver unmatched value and performance.”

Ampersand says the name Alpha was chosen to honour the motorcycle’s heritage as the first commercial electric motorcycle to successfully operate at scale in Africa. Ampersand adds that this new name also highlights Ampersand’s leadership in customer satisfaction, engineering, manufacturing, and management. Alpha signifies pioneering excellence, and the dawn of a new era of clean, affordable, better mobility for all.

“Alpha isn’t just a name—it’s a legacy,” said Alper Tilev, co-founder & CTO at Ampersand. “This motorcycle pioneered the electric mobility revolution in Africa, and the new Alpha generation carries forward that legacy while establishing a distinct identity that riders can rally behind with pride.”

Ampersand’s Energy Revolution

The rebranding of the electric motorcycle to bring to the fore its main focus as an electric vehicle energy tech company at this point in time is mainly because, at its core, Ampersand has evolved into more than a motorcycle manufacturer. Ampersand says it is now Africa’s leading EV energy and energy technology provider. Ampersand says the company’s AI-optimized battery swap network represents the continent’s most advanced energy delivery system for electric mobility. This proprietary system manages nearly 18,000 battery recharges and swaps every day. The integrated IoT battery management platform ensures real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and 99.72% uptime across the network. Ampersand’s AI-driven backend software balances energy demand, optimizes battery lifecycles, and delivers unmatched reliability at the lowest possible operating and capex costs.

The company is now ready to unlock the transformative potential of its energy technology. Ampersand just announced that it is embarking on a strategic expansion of its energy platform beyond its own vehicles. The company is in active discussions with several leading motorcycle manufacturers across Africa to integrate their models into Ampersand’s established energy network.

Josh Whale, founder & CEO of Ampersand, said: “For years, we tried to persuade the traditional  large motorcycle manufacturers that focused on ICE bikes, to start building electric motorcycles. But early in 2024, we reached a major inflection point. Suddenly, a range of large motorcycle manufacturers began knocking on our door, convinced that electric was the future for Africa’s motorcycle industry, and Ampersand was the clear leader in both vehicles and energy delivery in this sector. Our landmark exclusive partnership with BYD only accelerated that. By opening our batteries and network to other manufacturers, we can accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation while creating a more robust ecosystem that benefits all participants. Partnering with other motorcycle manufacturers also allows a much wider range of vehicles to become available to Africans far quicker, at lower prices, and in more countries than one company could ever do itself.”

This initiative represents a transformative shift in Ampersand’s business model — from a single motorcycle brand with proprietary energy infrastructure to an open ecosystem that supports multiple vehicle options. Customers will soon be able to choose from a diverse range of electric motorcycles, all powered by Ampersand’s reliable energy network. This is a game changer. Opening up their energy infrastructure and ecosystem encourages interoperability and will help build a critical mass of electric motorcycles to really stimulate a faster transition to electric mobility.