What started as a dream by the GirlMove Academy in the Smart Mobility challenge under the Changemakers’ LAB project become reality on 22nd May 2023. The girls conceived an idea of converting petrol-powered motorcycle taxis to electric ones. The idea was presented to the motorcyclists in the surrounding community, but many casted their doubts. Nevertheless, the girls did not give up the idea but went further to engage Wupla Enterprise as technical partners in the conversion process. Wupla was mandated to supply the conversion kits and undertake the actual conversion of one motorcycle as a prototype.

It was on 22nd May, 2023 when technical team of Wupla Enterprise met the Girl movers in Nampula, Mozambique and converted the “LIFO Motorcylce” to electric. The conversion kits were pre-fabricated to fit into the frame of ‘LIFO Motorcyle” without any modification of the frame. The kits fitted neatly into the frame and e-motorcycle is seamlessly operational.

The converted e-motorcycle is powered with 72V, 3000W hub motor and a 72V, 50aH Lithium-Ion battery. Test riding with a rider and a passenger (about 150Kg pay load), the e-motorcycle covers at least 60km on a single charge. However, the range is dependent on the riding style and the terrain. Another feature of this e-motorcycle is that the battery is easily replaceable so much that the prototype has two batteries. One is used on the bike while the other is charged at the charging stations. When the battery on the bike is running low, the rider pulls to charging station to swap the battery with the charged one. This reduces rider’s waiting time for the battery charging.

We left Nampula satisfied with the conversion process and we are already missing the warm-hearted Girl Movers and the smiling Nampula Community who are excited with the existence of the electric motorbike in their area.