Obipus’ electric bicycles are developed and manufactured in Kenya, with good range, replaceable batteries and extremely low prices

Electric motorcycles are beginning to receive attention, but they have a common theme-cost. For example, LiveWire (formerly known as Harley-Davidson) is nearly 30,000 pounds. However, the cost of battery-powered bicycles you see here will be reduced by about 30 times.

This is an electric motorcycle from a company called Oipus. Founded by a Swedish university and developing products in Kenya, Obipus stated that its "mission is to implement electric vehicles in emerging markets." Earlier this month, the company announced that it had raised US$7.5 million in funding and, at the same time, offered a price for this bike-US$1,300, depending on the specifications, which is approximately £960.

Of course, Obipus bikes are not as good-looking as your fancy pants LiveWire. In fact, it has no real style at all, but that's the point-it's purely about functionality and not unnecessary flimflam. Despite its low price, it has many other impressive figures.

Its top speed is 56 mph, which may not sound high, but it can get there in just five seconds. The peak torque is 136lb ft (the power figure is more moderate at 12bhp around 125), and its cruising range can reach 125 miles.

It is powered by two on-site rechargeable 2.9kWh battery packs, each of which takes approximately four hours to charge from a household 240-volt plug socket. Alternatively, a pack can be taken out in about 10 seconds and replaced with a fully charged unit.

In front of the rider was something that looked like a fuel tank, but it was actually a lockable storage box. If you need to carry more items, the bike can carry a payload of up to 150 kg. In order to further improve the practicality, it is said that the running cost is about half of the equivalent gasoline-powered bicycle.

This simple-looking bicycle still has some thorough modernity, including LED headlights and a digital instrument cluster, which will not look out of place on a fairly expensive machine.

Bicycles can be booked now. Kenya’s first deliveries will begin soon, and will be available in “countries/regions” starting in 2022. In addition, Obipus plans to launch globally.

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