What started as a “don’t try this at home” experiment has evolved into a powerful seven-part documentary series. Stellenbosch University (SU) recently premiered Recharging Hope, a film chronicling an epic 6,200 km journey from Kenya to South Africa on an electric bike powered exclusively by the sun.
The 6,200 km “Accident”
The expedition was born out of necessity. When a team from SU’s Electric Mobility Lab found it impossible to courier two test electric motorcycles from Kenya to South Africa, they chose a daring alternative: they would drive them.
Led by Prof Thinus Booysen, the team engineered a mobile, off-grid solar plant consisting of panels, inverters, and battery banks to charge the Roam Air bikes in the middle of the African wilderness.
A Journey of Extremes
Produced and edited by team member Lewis Seymour, the documentary captures 17 days of grit and innovation across six countries:
- The Elements: The team battled searing heat, hail, and high winds.
- The Final Push: In a display of endurance, they covered 1,000 km in a single 24-hour window on the penultimate day.
- The Technology: Alongside the Roam Air bike, the project showcased “Pata-pata” (a retrofitted 1978 VW Beetle) and a converted Suzuki Carry, proving that vintage and utility vehicles can be electrified for African realities.
Democratizing Innovation
In a strategic move to ensure the project reaches everyone—from global investors to a child in a rural village—the team opted to release the series on YouTube rather than behind a streaming paywall.
“The success of this documentary will not be measured in viewership, but by the people it has touched,” Seymour told guests at the STIAS premiere.
Powering the Future Through Partnerships
Prof Wikus van Niekerk, Dean of Engineering, emphasized that this wasn’t just an academic exercise. The project relied on vital industry support:
- Scatec provided the solar panels.
- Balancell supplied the battery energy storage.
- SANEDI and HYDAC contributed to the vehicle conversions.
This collaboration illustrates a scalable model for African-led clean-energy innovation, focusing on solutions that work for the continent’s unique infrastructure and climate.
