The federal government has launched 10 electric-powered motorcycles to aid the movement of goods and humans in Nigeria’s countryside and suburbs.
The launching of the motorcycle manufactured by MAX Nigeria under its Electric Vehicle (EV) was done by the Federal Ministry of Power on Thursday in Lagos.
The pilot project, which is being executed under MAX Nigeria under its Electric Vehicle (EV) opportunities in rural and peri-urban communities in the country, was funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, within the framework of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP
The motorcycles were deployed to Gbamu-Gbamu mini-grid solar community in Ogun to transport goods and agricultural produce under the pilot phase of the programme.
Abubakar Ali-Dapshima, Director, Renewable and Rural Power Access Department, Federal Ministry of Power, said electric mobility was very important to the socio-economic development of rural and peri-urban communities.
“The objective of the project is to showcase the opportunities, and impact electric mobility synergised with solar mini grid projects, bring to communities,” Mr Ali-Dapshima, represented by Phillip Abel, a senior official of the ministry, said.
Barka Sajou, Executive Director, Rural Electrification Agency, urged investors to explore the solar mini-grid sector in the country.
Mr Sajou noted that one major challenge to the sustainability of the sector was the adoption of mini-grids for productive activities.
“To resolve this, the REA, with support from NESP, continues to support mini-grid developers to scale-up sustainable solutions for the sector,” he said.
Jelani Aliyu, Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), reiterated the agency’s commitment to promoting investment in the automotive sector.
MrAliyu noted that EVs were not just the future of transportation but a technology already in use and beginning a paradigm shift, even in Nigeria.
He said: “NADDC’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), currently being implemented, captures the role of EVs in driving Nigeria’s economy.
“It is, therefore, an excellent development that electric motorbikes are already being deployed and tested in rural mini-grid communities, revealing huge potential for the role of electric mobility across Nigeria.”
On her part, Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, pledged the EU’s support to the project.
According to her, the EU’s support within the framework of NESP aims to create an open market for more investments in the renewable energy market in Nigeria.
She said this was in order to advance access to reliable and affordable electricity in Nigeria, especially in the disadvantaged areas of the country.
“The EU is also keen on promoting initiatives aimed at boosting energy demand in the solar mini-grid space including the use of electric vehicles,” Ms Stefanowicz added.
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