Nigeria is making significant strides in mass-producing electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its efforts to reduce reliance on costly fuel. The Federal Government is set to ratify the Electric Vehicle Development Plan in the coming weeks, according to Jelani Aliyu, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
The Electric Vehicle Development Plan is in its final stage and aims to position Nigeria as a leader in vehicle electrification, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. A major focus of the plan is promoting local production of electric vehicles, aiming for at least 30 percent local production.
To support the adoption of EVs, the government plans to mandate federal, state, and local governments, along with companies holding government contracts, to purchase and use EVs. This shift is driven by the need for cost-effective and sustainable transportation solutions due to the rising costs of gasoline and diesel.
Jelani Aliyu stressed the importance of developing indigenous vehicles with local content and intellectual property suitable for Nigeria’s extreme conditions, in order to provide a more cost-effective transportation system for Nigerians. The country’s renewable energy and natural resources, such as lithium and petrochemicals, will play a vital role in powering the EVs. The NADDC, in collaboration with the private sector, is already working on deploying charging points along highways and road networks to establish an effective EV ecosystem, with a target for completion by the end of the year.
To ensure the successful implementation of the plan, Jelani recommended that the Federal Government pass the 2023 National Automotive Industry Development Plan Bill to provide legislative support and attract foreign direct investment in the automotive sector. Additionally, the plan calls for approval and dedicated funding for a vehicle finance scheme focused on EVs, making them more affordable nationwide, implementing stricter vehicle emission regulations, and facilitating the development of necessary EV charging infrastructure.
The government is also encouraged to enforce compliance with Executive Order 003, which mandates the procurement of locally produced vehicles by government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as well as private companies working on government contracts. These measures aim to accelerate Nigeria’s transition towards electric vehicles and sustainable transportation solutions.
