FG to deploy 10,000 electric vehicles in North-East

By Kunle Sanni

The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a large-scale electric vehicle (EV) transportation system in Nigeria’s North-East.

The decision follows the approval of contracts worth nearly $100 million (N151.9 billion) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last week, the presidency has disclosed.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, in a post on X on Sunday, stated that the initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency in the region.

According to him, as part of the plan, contracts have been awarded for 10 electric buses (17-seater) – to be supplied by Bluecrest Integrated Concept Limited for N2.9 billion within six months. 4,000 e-tricycles – to be delivered by Mutual Commitment Company Limited for N49.6 billion within nine months.

3,000 e-tricycles – to be supplied by Shanghai Integrated Infrastructure Development for N37.2 billion.
3,000 additional e-tricycles – to be provided by Sinoma Investment International Limited. Each e-tricycle will have a capacity for nine passengers plus a driver.

Additionally, the government has awarded a N16.3 billion contract to Messrs HNCEGC for the procurement of 100 BYD Dolphin EVs, 100 BYD Qin Plus EVs, and 37 BYD Yuan Plus EVs.

To support the initiative, Messrs KB Laman Motors Nigeria Limited will install charging stations for the e-buses and tricycles at a cost of N8.4 billion.

The North East Development Commission will fund the project as part of broader efforts to modernize transportation and reduce pollution. President Tinubu had previously approved the procurement of electric vehicles in October last year and personally inspected samples of the vehicles, chargers, and batteries.