So many people were doubtful when I mentioned that Nigeria was ripe for the electric vehicle revolution. I said this because of numerous activities that i observed in the #EV space in Nigeria whilst conducting a research for my mini thesis which is part of the final requirements for my course on #Electric #Vehicle from a Power Sector Perspective at the #Florence #School of #Regulation.

A quick thing to note is that private sector, not government is already driving the #EV market in Nigeria, Some of the activities conducted by local companies in the electric vehicle space that i observed were:

– Companies like First Electric in Lagos involved in the importation, sale and installation of EV charging components

– PSC Solar Industries involved in manufacture, sales and distribution of EV chargers

-Companies who build electric tricycles like #Authur‘s #Energy in Onitsha Nigeria

-Comapnies who have already sold a good number of electric tricycles up to 400 units like #Ketos #Energy and EcoLife now run by Tosin Jolaoye

-Taxi hailing companies who already operate electric motorcycles like Max Okada

-Solar companies who operate battery swapping and charging stations like RUBITEC NIGERIA LTD and Rubitec Nigeria Limited

– Ebonyi state government in Nigeria launched the Zero Oil Economy initiative where the state has manufactured electric
tricycles which has been given to women to drive commercially. The three wheeler can undertake a 30-kilometer distance when fully charged.

– The University of Nigeria unveiled its unveiled its first five-seater electric car with intentions to commercialize.

-Egbin Thermal Power Station, one of the nation’s six power generating stations, also West Africa’s largest generating station with installed capacity of 1320 MW have launched in October 2020, 20 electric shuttle busses and 500 bicycles for members of its community.

– On the aspect of manufacturing, Nigeria’s first indigenous automobile manufacturer Innosson Motors has recently declared their intention to manufacture electric vehicles

– Jet Motors Company, a Nigerian-based automobile manufacturer have raised $9 million for the manufacture of electric vehicles.

– Meanwhile, Nigeria based auto manufacturer Stallion Motors has announced the introduction of an electric vehicle – kona into the Nigerian market in 2020 and have officially launched the vehicle this weekend.

Moreover, Nigerians themselves are eager to patronize electric vehicles as transport solution. In preparation to launch its electric taxi hailing business, a local start-up company – Gllyd Electric is conducting a survey to learn commuters preference for electric taxi against its ICE equivalent. 98 percent of its respondents so far choose to patronize an electric taxi.

These companies and more have started stimulating the market in preparation for the #Electric #vehicle deployment. They have made the bold move to introduce products and services with the intention of making profit in the very nascent industry.

But no doubt the opportunities are there in the Nigerian market.

Now, without proper planning and strategic insight, some of these companies will fail in no time. There are innovative and strategic business models that will enable these companies thrive and become sustainable.

I will share more on that tomorrow. Stay tuned.

My name is Glory and I consult and advise governments and companies on electric vehicle business models, policy and regulation to enable smooth deployment of #EVs in Nigeria. Please reach out to me on gloryshirley500@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Glory’s life goal is to be a positive part of people’s lives and make good impact. She’s passionate about economic development of Nigeria and work in the field of renewable energy and environmental sustainability to promote Nigeria’s economic growth through job creation and education. She is the founder of Climate Smart Nigeria which promotes Climate Change Education in Nigerian institutions and provide capacity building on renewable energy technologies. Recently she established the Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI) where she is also the Chief Instructor. The institute grooms the next generation of efficient installers and entrepreneurs with a focus on women who will serve as a competent workforce for the renewable energy industry and provide solutions to Nigeria’s prevalent energy problems as entrepreneurs.

Under Glory’s leadership, RETTI recently lauched eight short ONLINE COURSES to assist people wanting to get into the energy sector especially renewables.

Glory recently received the Florence School of Regulation’s – Lights on #Women #Award as one of four women out of 150 women from 64 countries. This award will granted her a featured interview with the FSR and a scholarship to study the course – #Electric #Vehicles (EV); a Power Sector Perspective and expand her knowledge about how EVs, #Charging #Infrastructure and the #V2X (Vehicle to Everything) concept will change the face of electricity and transportation.

Glory has published four books to promote the knowledge of climate change and renewable energy; Something is happening; Our world is changing; Understanding the Basics of Climate Change– for Secondary Schools – The Concept and Science of Climate Change – for the general adult public, A short thriller story – The Year Ran Mad – which depicts the impact of climate change on livelihood for Primary schools and The Girl who saw tomorrow, a short novel for secondary school – http://bit.ly/rettiM.

Glory can consult for African government entities about regulation for Electric Vehicles.

MORE ABOUT GLORY

She is the recipient of several local and international awards and recognitions which include (a) Nigerian Star from the US Mission in Nigeria (2018), (b) The Nigerian Energy Champion Prize from the Nigerian Energy Awards (2015), (c) President Obama’s Mandela Washington Fellowship Award (2015), (d) The Young Energy Professional of the Year Award by Nigeria Energy Awards (2018), (e) A Foremost Woman in Renewable Energy award recipient (2017); (f) Environmental Award of Excellence, Environmental Community Development group (2014) In April 2019, Glory was selected
as one of 15 African female business leaders to attend United States Government’s launch of  the OPIC 2X
Africa and meet with advisor to President of USA – Ms. Ivanka Trump and the Ethiopian President – Ms Sahle-Work Zewde.

In the course of her work she has met and shared platforms with a number high profile personalities and leaders at the national and international levels, including President Barack Obama, US Senator Chris Coons, Advisor to President Trump, Ms Ivanka Trump, Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware USA, Ethiopian President – Ms Sahle-Work Zewde, The USG Undersecretary for Energy – Mr Mark Menezes and former Vice President Ebitu Ukiwe of Nigeria.

She is a consultant for Nigeria’s largest renewable energy event, the Nigerian Alternative Energy Expo. She was a former Vice President of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN), and is currently an active member. She’s an alumna of Abia State University, Nigeria, The Lagos Business School, University of Delaware, USA, European Energy Institute and The Florence School of Regulation, Italy.