Published on: Apr 17, 2026
Roam, Africa’s fastest-growing electric mobility company according to the Financial Times (2025), has launched the Roam Air Gen 3, the latest evolution of its electric motorcycle platform.
The new model introduces a redesigned Gen 3 battery engineered to address key challenges faced by commercial riders in Africa, including long charging times, theft, and durability under demanding road conditions.
The launch, announced on 16 April 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, positions the Roam Air Gen 3 as a purpose-built solution for high-utilisation use cases, particularly in the boda boda (motorcycle taxi) market.
Key Innovations in the Gen 3 Battery
The redesigned Roam Gen 3 battery introduces several industry-leading features:
- Fast Charging Performance: Delivers more than 1 km of range per minute of charging. A 20% to 80% charge can be achieved in under 40 minutes using a 2 kW charger. It complies with the international IEC Type 6 standard.
- Range: Provides a total range of 80 km on a full charge, suitable for daily commercial operations.
- Durability and Protection: Features an IP67 rating, making the battery fully submersible and dust-proof. The industrial-grade aluminium die-cast casing improves heat dissipation and makes the battery drop-proof.
- Security: Integrated GPS location tracking allows riders and fleet operators to locate the battery via the Roam app in case of loss or theft. The battery also includes enhanced safety features that comply with international standards (AIS-156).
- Longevity: Backed by a 100,000 km battery guarantee, providing confidence to riders and financing partners.
These advancements directly tackle the practical barriers that have slowed the transition to electric motorcycles in Africa: slow charging, theft concerns, and durability issues in harsh operating environments.
READ ALSO:
How Roam Explorer Is Bringing Real-Time Intelligence to EV Fleets
Reinforced Chassis and Overall Vehicle Design
In addition to the battery upgrade, the Roam Air Gen 3 features a reinforced chassis manufactured with 98% robotic welding for improved structural consistency.
The frame has been validated through over 200,000 vibration cycles under a 300 kg load to simulate real-world conditions, ensuring durability for high-utilisation commercial use.
The motorcycle is designed with daily operations in mind, offering an ergonomic form factor and reliable performance under demanding African road conditions.
Strategic Context and Market Relevance
Motorcycles remain a critical component of urban mobility across Africa, transporting millions of passengers daily.
However, the shift to electric has been constrained by infrastructure limitations, long charging times, and concerns over reliability.
The Roam Air Gen 3 directly addresses these challenges by combining fast charging, advanced security, and proven durability.
Habib Lukaya, Roam Country Manager, stated:
“We designed the Roam Air Gen 3 around the real challenges riders face: long charging times, affordability, theft, and tough road conditions. Every feature, from fast charging to tracking and durability, is focused on keeping riders on the road, reducing operating costs, and increasing daily earnings.”
Future Outlook
Roam’s launch of the Air Gen 3 electric motorcycle, featuring an IP67-rated battery with GPS tracking, ultra-fast charging (more than 1 km per minute), and a 100,000 km guarantee, sets a new benchmark for electric mobility in Africa.
