Battery Swap Stations
Comercial. Transport. Rwanda & Kenya. Completed. 2023
A modular battery swap and charging station for electric motorcycles, conceived as the cornerstone of a regional e-mobility network in East Africa. Developed for a Rwandan mobility company, the station is adaptable, sustainable, and cost-efficient, designed to be rapidly assembled, dismantled, and relocated. Its prefabricated structure ensures compatibility with diverse terrains, climates, and business conditions, supporting expansion across Rwanda and Kenya. Beyond functionality, the design establishes a distinctive and recognizable identity that reinforces brand presence and attracts new users.
After conducting thorough research, which included spatial and performance analysis of existing stations, as well as workshops with e-mobility drivers and staff, we have developed a project that employs a lightweight three-dimensional steel structure constructed from reusable and locally available bolted steel hollow sections.
The primary structure can be easily deployed with minimal earthworks and practically no concrete. It will be prefabricated in a workshop, transported on a flatbed vehicle, and then assembled on-site with bolts for swift deployment and straightforward disassembly. The overarching structure is designed to accommodate battery charging modules or service units, adaptable to the client’s changing requirements and diverse contexts.
This station can be expanded in both length and width by adding roof and platform modules. It may feature sections for battery swapping, mechanical servicing, vehicle washing, and a waiting area for clients.
The roof utilizes triangular shapes within structural cubes to achieve optimal slope for rainwater drainage and heat dissipation. The design is flexible, allowing for different “skins” to suit various site conditions, making it suitable for deployment in diverse locations.
The station integrates the company’s color scheme and lighting to establish a brand identity and attract both existing and new clients. It incorporates transparency, translucent elements, and opacity to showcase the company’s swapping system, provide shade and rain protection, and allow natural light ingress and egress. This meticulously planned design ensures that the station is not only functional, sustainable, and comfortable but also visually appealing.
Two-module and three-module stations have already been installed in Kigali and Nairobi, marking the first phase of implementation. Beyond functionality, the design establishes a distinctive and recognizable architectural identity that reinforces brand presence and attracts new users across the region.
