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Tag: electric vehicles

  • Locally made electric vehicles commissioned in Nasarawa

    Locally made electric vehicles commissioned in Nasarawa

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned a new fleet of locally manufactured electric vehicles, including tricycles and motorcycles, in Nasarawa State, marking a significant leap in Nigeria’s push toward clean energy and sustainable transportation.

    The commissioning, which took place yesterday, also featured the launch of key infrastructure projects by Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration. The event highlighted Nasarawa’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and environmental sustainability in line with the President’s national policy on green mobility.

    Speaking at the event, Governor Sule announced plans to empower residents across the state with access to electric vehicles. The initiative, he said, is part of efforts to reduce the cost of transportation, lessen dependence on fossil fuels, and position Nasarawa as a leader in future-focused infrastructure.

    Among the highlights of the event was the unveiling of electric vehicles produced by the Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC), an indigenous firm at the forefront of Nigeria’s electric mobility industry.

    Prince Mustapha Audu, Chief Executive Officer of EMVC, praised the federal and state governments for supporting local innovation and creating an enabling environment for sustainable technologies to thrive. He described EMVC as one of the nation’s premier electric vehicle manufacturers, with growing operations across multiple states.

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    “We’re proud to introduce a range of electric vehicles designed specifically for Nigerian roads,” he said. “Our SUVs can travel up to 1,200 kilometers on a single charge. The sedans, perfect for ride-hailing services, have a range of 400 kilometers. We also produce affordable tricycles and motorcycles—popularly known as Igwe—tailored for local conditions.”

    Prince Audu underscored the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, which are powered by lithium batteries that significantly reduce carbon emissions. He noted that the company has introduced solar-powered charging stations, capable of charging three vehicles simultaneously without relying on the national grid or generators.

    “We currently have three charging stations and will expand to five soon,” he said. “With just ₦5,000, most vehicles can be fully charged depending on battery size—offering users a cost-effective alternative to fuel.”

    To support the long-term viability of the electric vehicle ecosystem, EMVC is setting up battery assembly plants, maintenance centers, and training hubs across the state. Each vehicle comes with a minimum two-year warranty, and the company is building a skilled workforce to handle diagnostics and repairs.

    “Unlike combustion engine vehicles that have over 25,000 components, electric vehicles typically have fewer than 300 parts—most of which are cosmetic,” Audu explained. “This drastically cuts down maintenance time and costs. Most issues are electrical, and we already have technicians trained to handle them, with plans to train more as adoption grows.”

    He acknowledged challenges such as poor road infrastructure and climate considerations but said the vehicles have been designed to withstand Nigeria’s unique conditions.

    Prince Audu urged Nigerians to embrace the shift toward electric mobility, describing it as not only environmentally responsible but also economically smarter. “This is the future of transportation—cleaner, cheaper, and made by Nigerians for Nigerians,” he said.

    The event reinforces President Tinubu’s broader agenda on sustainability and positions Nasarawa as a pacesetter in Africa’s clean energy revolution.

  • FG picks 12 universities to manufacture electric vehicles

    FG picks 12 universities to manufacture electric vehicles

    …to implement regulations in automotive sector

    The federal government has picked twelve universities, two from each geopolitical region of the country, to manufacture electric vehicles.

    The initiative, which is part of the First Nigeria policy of the President Bola Tinubu administration to be financed by the Bank of Industry and other key financial institutions.

    Director-General National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Oluwemimo Osanipin, disclosed this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

    Osanipin spoke during a stakeholders’ engagement with the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) and the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (NAMA).

    The theme of the engagement was: “Import of Used Cars and Dealership Regulation in Nigeria”.

    He said that Nigeria was also committed to component and parts manufacturing as part of its preparation for made in Nigeria vehicles and fulfilment of the First Nigeria Policy.

    According to him, the country was on its way to having a 100% made in Nigeria electric vehicles, adding that the federal government has already built stations in 10 of the universities in readiness for the takeoff of the project.

    He said, “When I came in, one of the major initiatives I pushed for was component development, but let me state here that no country, no company, no OEC manufactures its own vehicle.

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    “For example, the company that manufactures Mercedes has people who produce engines for them, but they have the design, the interior. But there are still people who produce the bulb, the braking system. In all this, no OEM manufactures all the components, but again, we are conscious of what happens after sales.

    “Apart from producing parts to service vehicle production, you produce more parts to service after-sales, because let’s say annual production is 500,000, but the vehicles you service on the road are about 18 million. What that means is that we need to produce more parts.

    “That’s why we are pushing for components and parts production. As of today, we are expanding. We have identified the components that we can do with comparative advantage and at a lower cost, like plastic parts, because some of those parts will come from byproducts of petroleum products.

    “So there are lots of things that we can produce here in Nigeria. We are working with major assemblers. In terms of design, you are talking about how we have started an initiative where we gather 12 universities, two from each geopolitical zone, they are designing what we call the University shuttle bus, which is going to be 100% electric.

    “It is going to be designed in Nigeria. Most of the cars will be sourced locally. We are on it. When they finish, we will come together again to work with assemblers and vehicle manufacturers and get support from companies that can finance it, like the Bank of Industry and other financial institutions, to be able to produce these vehicles.

    “Gradually, we are going to have electric vehicles fully designed and manufactured in Nigeria. And in preparation for that, we started building stations in certain universities, and in the next few months, we will cover nothing less than 10 universities.

    “By the time we have this, we will have built some infrastructure. Gradually, we are building for the future and building parts.”

  • Electric Vehicles in Nigeria: Hype or Hope?

    Electric Vehicles in Nigeria: Hype or Hope?

    • By Babatunde Yusuf

    Sir: Over the past few years, electric vehicles (EVs) have taken the global auto industry by storm. In 2023 alone, over 14 million EVs were sold worldwide which accounts for nearly 18% of total car sales, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). From America to China to many advanced countries and even some African countries, governments have been rolling out policies to phase out internal combustion engines and to promote cleaner alternatives. But in Nigeria, the conversation around EVs remains muted and this calls for serious concerns.

    Unlike other countries, our journey towards EVs adoption has barely begun. Although companies like Jet Motors and Stallion Group have introduced electric buses and sedans, but they’re not getting enough support which makes their market presence unyielding. Since EVs are programmed around charging, the charging infrastructure is also nearly non-existent.

    A 2022 report by the Nigerian Energy Support Programme showed that there are fewer than 10 public charging stations in the entire country, mostly concentrated in Lagos and Abuja. Imagine that for a country of over 220million population. Obviously that’s not enough to inspire consumer confidence.

    The economic argument for EVs is also challenging in Nigeria’s context. The average EV costs significantly more than the typical tokunbo (used) petrol car. Even with lower running costs, the upfront price is a barrier for most Nigerians. When over 60% of Nigerians live below the poverty line, and the average new car sells for over N15 million, the notion of buying an electric vehicle becomes implausible for the majority.

    Then there’s the issue of electricity itself. Nigeria suffers from chronic power shortages, with national grid electricity barely reaching 5,000MW for a population of over 220 million. National grid collapse, frequent blackouts and unreliable supply make the idea of charging a vehicle at home seem far-fetched. Unless grid stability improves significantly, large-scale EV usage is not feasible.

    However, there are glimmers of hope. Nigeria has some of the largest lithium deposits in Africa – the key raw material for EV batteries. If properly harnessed, this could offer a strategic entry point into the EV supply chain. Countries like Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo are already leveraging their mineral wealth to attract battery manufacturers. If the federal and state governments do not act swiftly, Nigeria risks missing out.

    Moreover, the federal government did announce in 2021 the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) 2021–2031, which includes incentives for EV manufacturing. But implementation has been slow. There is no clear roadmap, no dedicated EV policy framework, and no tax incentives for EV buyers or assemblers. Without these, private players have little motivation to invest.

    As for the environmental argument for EVs, well, that is compelling. Nigeria’s major cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano suffer from rising air pollution, much of it from vehicle emissions. According to the World Health Organization, Lagos alone records particulate matter – PM2.5 levels, nearly seven times higher than recommended. Reducing fossil fuel vehicles could help improve urban air quality and public health, especially among low-income communities who live close to roads and traffic hubs.

    But if Nigeria is to make the shift, the conversation must move from symbolism to substance. Pilot programs are not enough. The federal and state governments must fund charging infrastructure, offer import duty waivers on EV components, and build technical capacity for EV maintenance and assembly. This requires coordinated action across energy, transport, and industrial sectors.

    •Babatunde Yusuf,

    Canada.

  • Subsidy removal: Transport Minister Alkali announces plan to acquire electric vehicles

    Subsidy removal: Transport Minister Alkali announces plan to acquire electric vehicles

    The new minister of transportation, Said Alkali, has unveiled plans to procure electric vehicles in order to alleviate the transportation challenges encountered by Nigerians.

    He explained that the procurement of the vehicles will lead to a downward review in the cost of transportation which is currently high due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

    Alkali made this announcement on Tuesday in Abuja as he commenced his role at the Ministry of Transportation.

    The minister said: “The Ministry of Transport must assume a leading role in improving the public transportation sector to support the numerous policies that are geared towards providing democratic dividends that are accessible to ordinary Nigerians through effective provision of public transport that is secured, affordable and convenient across the country.

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    “So, I am going to ensure that the mass transit system is effective and put in place. The agenda of Mr. President is renewed hope and we will make sure that with the removal of fuel subsidy, we have an effective mass transit system and see how we can procure electric vehicles so that at least the cost of transportation with even the mass transit system is reviewed downward across the country.

    “I will also ensure a sustainable collaboration with related ministries, agencies, and corporate entities to reactivate the road transport and mass transit operations in the country.”

    He also vowed to rehabilitate the rail transport sector targeted at ensuring secure and efficient operation.

    Alkali said: “I will under the careful study of prevailing economic trends, undertake the provision, modernization, rehabilitation, planning, and development of the rail transport sector with efficient security services to support the realization of the primary purpose of government.

    “This initiative will no doubt maximize the potentials embodied in the recent Constitutional alterations that moved rail transport services from the exclusive list to the concurrent list. It will also reduce the frequent menace on our roads characterized by accidents, kidnappings, and armed robbery”.

    Alkali also said he would embark on monitoring and evaluating the performance of agencies under it towards the realization of the government’s renewed hope mandate.

    “To ensure the realization of the “Renewed Hope” of this administration, I have resolved to ensure effective supervision, monitoring, and evaluation of the performance of all the departments of the Ministry and its agencies to meet operational standards, judicious expenditure management, and optimal productivity.

    Alkali, while stating that he would provide enabling work environment for the staff, warned that he would not tolerate any form of negligence and indiscipline.

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    “I will support the provision of a necessary conducive environment while at the same time, maintaining zero tolerance to indiscipline, laxity, inefficiency, and any form of misconduct in the discharge of any official responsibilities.”