Bingo Launches Ksh1.8M Dual-Battery Electric Car Offering Up to 440km Per Charge

Bingo Technologies on Tuesday unveiled the Bingo E2 electric vehicle (EV), becoming the first company in Kenya to introduce a dual-battery EV system that combines a fixed battery with swappable battery packs.

Speaking during the launch in Westlands, Bingo CEO Daniel Huang said the E2 was designed specifically for Kenya's ride-hailing and delivery sectors, where keeping vehicles on the road for longer translates directly into higher earnings.

The E2 combines a fixed battery with four swappable battery packs, allowing it to travel up to 440 kilometres on a single charge.

The fixed battery alone delivers up to 310 kilometres of range and supports both fast DC charging and home AC charging. Using a DC fast charger, the battery can reach 80% charge in under an hour, while a full AC charge takes about six hours. The company says the AC charging system can also be used to charge another Bingo vehicle.

The swappable battery packs add up to 13kWh of extra capacity, extending the vehicle's range by approximately 150 kilometres. The batteries are also compatible with electric motorcycles and bicycles, allowing them to be used across multiple vehicle types.

"The E2 was built for one person: the driver who works hard every day and deserves to own what he drives, and Nairobi is where that promise becomes real," Huang said.

Kevin Simmons, Bingo's Commercial Advisor, described the vehicle as one of the most commercially attractive EV offerings in the market.

"The Bingo E2 is underpinned by the most lucrative commercial offering to investors, fleet owners and drivers of any similar platform in the market. This vehicle is designed to not just be an automotive success, but a commercial juggernaut," Simmons said.

According to the company, the E2 addresses one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption in Kenya by reducing downtime associated with charging while lowering operating costs for commercial drivers. The company estimates that more than 500,000 ride-hailing trips take place daily in Kenya, presenting a significant market opportunity.

Design and Pricing

The compact four-seater offers up to 745 litres of cargo space and comes fitted with a roof luggage carrier, making it suitable for both passenger transport and delivery services.

Bingo has priced the E2 at Ksh1.8 million per unit, positioning it below several electric vehicle options currently available in the Kenyan market.

The vehicle comes with a three-year warranty covering the motor, motor controller, rear axle and EPS steering system. Other components, including the air conditioning system, brakes, chassis and infotainment unit, carry a one-year warranty, while the battery is covered for four years.

The company also says that the E2 can reduce energy costs by up to 90% compared to petrol-powered vehicles and increase driver profits to as much as Ksh3,600.

"We actually work with manufacturers and suppliers to design the product. We are able to work with largest suppliers to support us get the price that a lot of people can afford," Huang added.

On safety, the E2 features a five-camera surveillance system. Four exterior cameras provide 360-degree monitoring around the vehicle, while an interior-facing camera records activity inside the cabin. The system automatically detects and records incidents, with footage stored for up to 30 days.

Alongside the vehicle, Bingo unveiled a cloud-based Fleet Operating System (Fleet OS), allowing fleet owners anywhere in the world to purchase an E2, assign it to a vetted local driver and monitor its performance remotely through a mobile phone.

The vehicle also integrates an AI-powered platform known as Maya, which enables remote vehicle immobilisation when drivers default on payments, automates payment enforcement and tracks maintenance schedules.

Bingo Technologies is a California-based startup focused on building electric mobility ecosystems for emerging markets.