KWASU signs agreements with Chinese firms for CNG, electric vehicle conversion

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Kwara State University (KWASU) in Malete has signed agreements with two Chinese firms to establish a gas refilling station, enhancing its ongoing initiative to convert petrol engines to compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles.

In addition, the state-owned transport corporation, Kwara Express, has donated 22 vehicles to the university’s Centre for Green and Sustainable Energy for conversion from petrol engines.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Sheik-Lukman Jimoh, announced these developments while presenting the university’s progress in converting petrol vehicles to CNG and electric power to reporters in Ilorin on Friday. He noted that the Centre has already converted five vehicles to CNG and electric, including two owned by the university.

Professor Jimoh explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Chinese firms will facilitate the production of customized conversion kits to ensure safety during the conversion process.

He added that the proposed CNG centre and refilling station will significantly increase the Centre’s current capacity to convert six vehicles at a time.

The Vice Chancellor emphasized that this initiative reflects the university’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and addressing the rising cost of petrol in Nigeria.

During the showcase of the converted vehicles, Engineer Abdulazeeze Akande, an expert at the Centre for Sustainable Energy, explained that the cost of conversion is affordable, ranging from N1.2 million for converting to CNG and N6 million for electric vehicles.

He also highlighted that 1 kg of gas can enable CNG vehicles to travel up to 13 kilometers, while the battery lifespan of electric vehicles ranges from 8 to 10 years.