The Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) Mr. Jelani Aliyu, has said the council will target 30 per cent of all passenger cars produced in Nigeria be electric by 2025.
Jelani noted it at the weekend during the unveiling of Made-in-Nigeria Electric Vehicle (EV) called Kona.
He said electric vehicle pilot programme would allow us to gather the necessary empirical data needed towards an electric vehicle policy which will further enhance investment into their production and create its sustainability.
Aliyu announced that NADDC had built six automobile training centres across the country, which would leverage on electric vehicle technology transfer.
He also stated that NADDC has been negotiating with JAIZ and Zenith Banks on a Vehicle Finance Scheme that would enable Nigerians to easily own and drive these technologically advanced vehicles such as the KONA Electric Vehicle.
The Director General of NADDC revealed that discussions with these banks have reached advanced stage, adding that as soon as necessary approvals were concluded, it would take-off.
Also, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo who unveiled the electric vehicle on Friday, together with his Works and Housing counterpart, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and other dignitaries in Abuja commended its manufacturer, Stallion Group and its subsidiary, Hyundai Motors, saying the company was the pioneer producer of the Made-in-Nigeria Electric Vehicle.
He said the ministry in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) had begun planning for a migration from the use of conventional vehicles (powered by fuel and diesel) to alternative powered vehicles, in consideration of environmental degradation caused by global warming.
Commenting further on the benefits of electric vehicles, he said, the use of the vehicles would reduce queues at filling stations, most especially during times of scarcity.
He said: “Electric cars, trucks and buses are now being built globally, their advantages in terms of zero emission of greenhouse gases, less components to service and maintain, will make it suitable for a developing economy like Nigeria.”
