President Bola Tinubu has approved the use of electric vehicles in the North East region of Nigeria to promote cleaner energy.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Mohammed Alkali at the State House, Abuja, after meeting with President Tinubu.
Alkali said the commission has been entrusted with the responsibility of bringing the electric vehicles to reality.
He disclosed that the commission was left to choose between electric-powered vehicles and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and that after a thorough analysis of the two options, it was discovered that electric vehicles are better suited for the region.
Alkali hinted that the commission chose e-vehicles bearing in mind the region’s plan to create modular solar power units across states, thereby providing a standby power source for the e-vehicles.
Giving more insights into the models of the vehicles and what they would look like, the commission boss said the e-vehicle fleet will comprise three categories such as e-buses designed for intra-state movements with a minimum capacity of 40 people per trip; e-taxis capable of carrying three people including the driver; and modified tricycles enhanced to carry eight people including the driver.
He added that NEDC prioritized local content, ensuring that vehicle bodies could be fabricated locally in the Northeast or other regions.
Briefing journalists of the commission’s meeting with President Tinubu, Alkali said after presenting him with the kind of e-vehicles the zone is going to introduce, Tinubu approved it.
He noted that the approved deployment of e-mobility in the Northeast would pave the way for a cleaner and more efficient transportation system in the region.
On the potential of the region, Alkali said the commission has developed comprehensive master plans that cover 11 pillars that will fully activate the action plan for the initiative.
The NEDC boss further stated that the commission will engage stakeholders, specially the road transport workers thereby integrating their concerns and advises before the final stage of activating the e-vehicles across the Northeast states of Nigeria.
