Kigali, Rwanda. May 16, 2024 – Spiro, Africa's largest electric vehicle (EV) player, celebrated a significant milestone yesterday with the launch of its first automated swap station in Kigali. The event, held at Spiro's main showroom, marked the beginning of a series of six automated swap stations set to revolutionise the EV landscape in Rwanda.

The launch event, attended by VIPs including Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director General of REMA (Rwanda Environment Management Authority), was a testament to Spiro’s progress since its arrival in Rwanda one year ago. The celebration coincided with the CEO conference, where Spiro also had a notable presence, underscoring its commitment to sustainable transportation solutions in the region.

At 11:40 am, Arun Bhandari, Head of Spiro Rwanda, alongside the Guest of Honour, Munyazikwiye, ceremonially cut the ribbon, officially inaugurating the automated swap station. This was followed by a demonstration of the first live swap with one of Spiro’s current riders, showcasing the seamless and efficient battery swapping process. The event concluded with closing remarks by Bhandari, emphasising the importance of this advancement for Spiro and the community.

Munyazikwiye praised Spiro's efforts: "We celebrate with Spiro the achievements they have made over the last year in Kigali. The Government of Rwanda has launched many initiatives to promote the green economy, and we need to see operations like Spiro continue to expand. Some of the challenges that electric vehicles have faced include the distance between charging stations, the positioning of charging stations, as well as the capacity and lifecycle of the batteries. That's why we are very pleased to see the arrival of Spiro's smart swapping stations, which will be a solution to many of these challenges in the future. We look forward to Spiro's success and growth as the government remains committed to supporting more sustainable transportation like Spiro."

Kaushik Burman, CEO of Spiro, commented on the launch: "The introduction of automated swap stations in Kigali marks a significant step forward in our mission to enhance urban mobility and reduce environmental impact. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and partners."

Bhandari, Head of Spiro Rwanda, added: "Our new automated swap station is designed to provide convenience and efficiency for our riders. This infrastructure will support our growing network of swapping and charging stations, as well as a home charging option to ensure that we continue to offer reliable and cost-effective transportation solutions."

In Africa, greenhouse gas emissions from transportation are growing at a rate of 7% each year. Air pollution is the second biggest killer across the continent, associated with heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Around 1.1 million people die prematurely from air pollution in Africa each year.