A Greener Ride: West Africans Switch On To Electric Motorbikes
De Wikifliping
| Revisión de 12:28 26 feb 2023 CharlieMelendez (Discusión | contribuciones) ← Ir a diferencia anterior |
Revisión de 10:21 27 feb 2023 XavierCleveland (Discusión | contribuciones) Ir a siguiente diferencia → |
||
| Línea 1: | Línea 1: | ||
| - | For many drivers in Cotonou, electric motorcycles are more a question of cost than pollution<br> Beninese hairdresser Edwige Govi makes a point these days of using electric motorbike taxis to get around Cotonou, saying she enjoys a ride that is quiet and clean.<br> Motorcycle taxis are a popular and cheap form of transportation in West Africa.<br> But in Benin and Togo, electric models are gaining the ascendancy over petrol-powered rivals.<br> Customers are plumping for environmentally-friendlier travel and taxi drivers are switching to machines that, above all, are less expensive to buy and operate.<br> "They are very quiet and do not give off smoke," says Govi, 26, who had just completed a half-hour run across Benin's economic hub.<br> In African cities, road pollution is becoming a major health and environment issue, although for taxi drivers, the big attraction of electric motorcycles is the cost.<br> "I manage to get by," said Govi's driver, Octave, wearing the green and yellow vest used by Benin's zemidjan taxis -- a word meaning "take me quickly" in the local Fon language.<br> "I make more money than with my fuel motorcycle."<br> In Cotonou, two companies have been offering electric models for a few months and both say they are overwhelmed by demand<br> Local environmentalist Murielle Hozanhekpon said the electric motorbikes do have some disadvantages "but not on an environmental level".<br> Alain Tossounon, a journalist specialising in environmental issues, said electric bikes were prized by taxi drivers as they were less expensive to maintain or run.<br> The cost factor has become more and more important in the face of an explosion of fuel prices this year triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.<br> - Credit carrot -<br> In Benin, an electric motorcycle costs 480,000 CFA ($737 / euros) against 490,050 CFA ($752 / euros) for a petrol-driven equivalent.<br> But this significant price difference is only one factor which explains the trend towards "silent motorcycles," said Tossounon.<br> Many taxi drivers are also lured by flexible credit deals -- instead of making a hefty one-off purchase, many are able to get loans that they pay off monthly, weekly or even daily.<br> Two companies in Cotonou have been offering electric models and say they are overwhelmed by demand.<br> To attract more customers, Zed-Motors offers solar panels to facilitate recharging for those without electricity at home<br> "The queue here is from morning to evening. Every hour, at least two roll out of the shop," said vendor Anicet Takalodjou.<br> Oloufounmi Koucoi, 38, director of another company delivering the models to Cotonou, said they had put thousands of e-motorcycles in circulation.<br> "The number is growing every day."<br> By assembling the motorcycles locally in Benin, his electric models are cheaper than if they had been imported.<br> To attract customers, his company, Zed-Motors, offers solar panels to facilitate recharging for those who do not have electricity at home.<br> For decades, Benin and its economy have struggled with power cuts.<br><br>The situation has improved, but outages remain common.<br> In rural areas, especially, electricity remains largely inaccessible.<br> - Battery change -<br> In Lome, capital of neighbouring Togo, Octave de Souza parades proudly through the streets on his brand-new green electric motorcycle.<br> Rechargeable batteries used by electric motorcycle drivers are charged in a store in Cotonou<br> One point in particular makes him and his wallet happy: no more fuelling up.<br> "All you need to do is change the battery," he smiled.<br><br>"There are sales outlets, you go there and it's exchanged for you."<br> A recharge costs 1,000 CFA ($1.50 / euros) and can provide three days' mobility. For the same price, Octave said, he would only be able to ride for one day using petrol, which is subsidised by the government.<br> Local authorities also are encouraging the switch to electric in a bid to replace old, highly polluting motorcycles.<br> But some drivers remain wary of electric models, citing range anxiety -- the worry of coming to a halt with a flat battery.<br> Taxi driver Koffi Abotsi said he struggled with the "stress" of having to quickly find a charging station so as not to break down.<br> "This sometimes leads us to swap (the battery) even with 10 percent or 15 percent charge remaining so as not to have any unpleasant surprises along the way."<br><br><br><br><br>In case you loved this short article and you wish to receive more info with regards to [https://en.volos-minivan.eu/ATHENS-0000000056-best-day-trips-from-athens.html best day trips from athens] assure visit our internet site. | + | arms that was recently named by Washington as a major defense ally, taxi price Trikeri to airport wants to protect its 7,500- km (4,700-mile) coastline as Beijing expands its maritime trade routes and taxi online Katigiorgis greece Chinese submarines increasingly lurk in regional waters.<br><br>For the same price, transportation in greece Katigiorgis Octave said, [https://en.volos-minivan.eu/ATHENS-0000000164-online-taxi-Trikeri.html online taxi Trikeri] he would only be able to ride for best private tours in Katigiorgis greece one day using petrol, Katigiorgis greece taxi prices which is subsidised by the g you." A recharge costs 1,000 CFA ($1.50 / euros) and can provide three days' mobility.<br><br>Other strains have emerged in U.S.-India relations, with the United States vexed by a growing bilateral trade deficit and Trump accusing New Delhi of negotiating unscrupulously at the Paris climate talks to walk away with billions in aid.<br><br>A statement from Answers in Genesis says Nye is touring the ark with his own film crew. The Christian group says the ark is part of its ministry that teaches Old Testament stories as true historical event<br><br>(AP Photo/John Minchill The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are true.<br>Its construction has rankled opponents who say the attraction will be detrimental to science education. The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday.<br><br>The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are tru The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday.<br><br>(AP Photo/John Minchill The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday. The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are true.<br>Its construction has rankled opponents who say the attraction will be detrimental to science education.<br><br>The Indian navy wants the surveillance drones, variants of the Predator drones, to keep watch over the Indian Ocean. The deal would be the first such purchase by a country that is not a member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization.<br><br>officials expect a relatively low-key visit by Modi, without the fanfare of some of his previous trips to the United States, and one geared to giving the Indian leader the chance to get to know Trump personally and to show that he is doing so.<br><br>The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are tru The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday.<br><br>(AP Photo/John Minchill The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday. The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are true.<br>Its construction has rankled opponents who say the attraction will be detrimental to science education.<br><br>But sources tracking the discussions say the U.S.<br>State Department has been concerned about the potential destabilizing impact of introducing high-tech drones into South Asia, where tensions are simmering between India and Pakistan, particularly over Kashmir, which is divided between them.<br><br>fighter jets during Modi's trip, in what could be the biggest deal since they began deepening defense ties more than a decade ago. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland, Mike Stone, Patricia Zengerle, Douglas Busvine and Manoj Kumar; Editing by Peter Cooney and Cynthia Osterman)<br><br>"We want to avoid a situation that escalates the tension" between India and Pakistan, the official said.<br>India and Pakistan should engage in direct talks and seek a normalization of ties, the official said.<br><br>Securing agreement on the purchase of 22 unarmed drones, worth more than $2 billion, is seen in New Delhi as a key test of defense ties that flourished under former President Barack Obama but have drifted under Trump, who has courted Asian rival China as he seeks Beijing's help to contain North Korea's nuclear program.<br><br>President Donald Trump's first meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, a White House visit that will include one-on-one talks and a working dinner. The official spoke to reporters in advance of U.S.<br><br>Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in April and has also had face time with the leaders of nations including Japan, Britain and Vietnam since taking office in January, prompting anxiety in New Delhi that India is no longer a priority in Washington. |
Revisión de 10:21 27 feb 2023
arms that was recently named by Washington as a major defense ally, taxi price Trikeri to airport wants to protect its 7,500- km (4,700-mile) coastline as Beijing expands its maritime trade routes and taxi online Katigiorgis greece Chinese submarines increasingly lurk in regional waters.
For the same price, transportation in greece Katigiorgis Octave said, online taxi Trikeri he would only be able to ride for best private tours in Katigiorgis greece one day using petrol, Katigiorgis greece taxi prices which is subsidised by the g you." A recharge costs 1,000 CFA ($1.50 / euros) and can provide three days' mobility.
Other strains have emerged in U.S.-India relations, with the United States vexed by a growing bilateral trade deficit and Trump accusing New Delhi of negotiating unscrupulously at the Paris climate talks to walk away with billions in aid.
A statement from Answers in Genesis says Nye is touring the ark with his own film crew. The Christian group says the ark is part of its ministry that teaches Old Testament stories as true historical event
(AP Photo/John Minchill The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are true.
Its construction has rankled opponents who say the attraction will be detrimental to science education. The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday.
The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are tru The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday.
(AP Photo/John Minchill The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday. The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are true.
Its construction has rankled opponents who say the attraction will be detrimental to science education.
The Indian navy wants the surveillance drones, variants of the Predator drones, to keep watch over the Indian Ocean. The deal would be the first such purchase by a country that is not a member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
officials expect a relatively low-key visit by Modi, without the fanfare of some of his previous trips to the United States, and one geared to giving the Indian leader the chance to get to know Trump personally and to show that he is doing so.
The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are tru The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday.
(AP Photo/John Minchill The long-awaited theme park based on the story of a man who got a warning from God about a worldwide flood will debut in central Kentucky this Thursday. The Christian group behind the 510 foot-long wooden ark says it will demonstrate that the stories of the Bible are true.
Its construction has rankled opponents who say the attraction will be detrimental to science education.
But sources tracking the discussions say the U.S.
State Department has been concerned about the potential destabilizing impact of introducing high-tech drones into South Asia, where tensions are simmering between India and Pakistan, particularly over Kashmir, which is divided between them.
fighter jets during Modi's trip, in what could be the biggest deal since they began deepening defense ties more than a decade ago. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland, Mike Stone, Patricia Zengerle, Douglas Busvine and Manoj Kumar; Editing by Peter Cooney and Cynthia Osterman)
"We want to avoid a situation that escalates the tension" between India and Pakistan, the official said.
India and Pakistan should engage in direct talks and seek a normalization of ties, the official said.
Securing agreement on the purchase of 22 unarmed drones, worth more than $2 billion, is seen in New Delhi as a key test of defense ties that flourished under former President Barack Obama but have drifted under Trump, who has courted Asian rival China as he seeks Beijing's help to contain North Korea's nuclear program.
President Donald Trump's first meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, a White House visit that will include one-on-one talks and a working dinner. The official spoke to reporters in advance of U.S.
Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in April and has also had face time with the leaders of nations including Japan, Britain and Vietnam since taking office in January, prompting anxiety in New Delhi that India is no longer a priority in Washington.
