Our Rating
The overall rating is based on review by our experts
PERFORMANCE
5 / 10
BATTERY
7 / 10
BODY
3 / 10
DISPLAYS
5 / 10
COMFORT
6 / 10
SAFETY
7 / 10
PROS
- Operating costs are approximately 50% lower than diesel equivalents
- Both DC fast charging and optional top-up charging are supported
- The chassis is built for high ground clearance
CONS
- At $135,000 per unit, the upfront acquisition cost remains high relative to diesel buses in the same segment
- Kenya's charging infrastructure remains underdeveloped in many areas outside Nairobi
The Roam Move is a zero-emissions shuttle bus built for the mid-segment of Kenya’s public transit market, commonly known as the Matatu sector. It is a 10-meter, high-floor shuttle bus with seating for up to 51 passengers, designed with ergonomic seating, spacious aisles, and collision avoidance systems. It is assembled in Kenya, with the body built using locally sourced materials and components.
The Move carries a battery pack ranging up to 245 kWh depending on configuration, with a rated range of between 200 and 300 kilometres per charge. DC fast charging brings the bus to full in under two hours, with Roam’s updated spec putting that figure closer to 1.5 hours. Top-up charging during the day is also supported for operators on longer or higher-frequency routes.
At launch, the Move was priced at $135,000 per unit. Financing is available through NCBA Bank, which offers up to 80% of the vehicle cost over a maximum of five years. It is positioned at transport operators running urban shuttle routes, school bus contracts, and Sacco-managed matatu services. Within Roam’s own lineup, the Move sits between the Roam Air — an electric motorcycle with dual batteries and a 180 km range — and the Roam Rapid, a high-capacity electric bus for major transit corridors, capable of seating up to 90 passengers with a range exceeding 360 kilometres. The closest alternative in the Kenyan market is the BasiGo KL-9, a King Long-designed 54-seat bus with a 400 km range and a full charge time of under two hours, and the BasiGo E9 Kubwa, a 36-seat model priced at KSh 7.5 million and designed specifically for the Kenyan matatu market. Compared directly to the KL-9, the Move offers a shorter range ceiling but a higher degree of local manufacturing and body customisation for varied operator needs.
Roam Move Images
