In Nigeria, the energy company Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) has announced a partnership with China’s bus builder Yutong to put 12,000 electric buses on the roads over the next seven years and build the infrastructure for them.
Starting in Lagos State, where the first two electric buses and charging stations have arrived for a pilot phase, the transition of the current combustion mass transit buses to electric will eventually spread across the country, reads the statement. “The receipt of both the buses and charging stations marks the commencement of our Sustainable Transport Initiative, which is one of the Company’s pipeline projects to support Nigeria in meeting her goal of net zero by 2060,” OCEL said.
The partnership between Oando and Yutong also envisages the construction of a local assembly plant for electric buses. According to the partners, training programmes are also part of the joint venture.
The agreement between the parties will see to deploying over 12,000 electric buses in Lagos State to generate about $2.6 billion as estimated economic cost savings. That is the equivalent of about 2.35 billion euros and 3.6 per cent of Logos’ GDP.
The partners also expect the rollout to create 3,000 jobs for drivers and 2,000 opportunities for other support staff. Around seven million people rely on public transport for their commute in Nigeria.
Frank Lee, managing director of Yutong West Africa, said this was “a watershed moment” for Yutong. “It is our first delivery of electric mass transit buses in Sub-Saharan Africa and the first step in the large-scale deployment of an electric-powered public road transport system in Nigeria.”
“The arrival of our electric mass transit buses and development of an EV infrastructure ecosystem is a reminder that the only way to remain ahead of the curve is by being unafraid to break new ground and consistently looking for opportunities to leapfrog,” added OCEL Chairman Adewale Tinubu. “Furthermore, this project underscores the African saying, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’ Public-Private Partnerships have been critical to getting the project to this point and will continue to fuel our expansion across the entire country.”
OCEL and LAMATA, the Lagos State Government Agency overseeing public transport in Lagos, signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the EV bus and infrastructure system upon starting today’s pilot.
The ‘Sustainable Transport Initiative’ supports Nigeria in meeting its goal of net zero by 2060. OCEL adds the EV rollout plan was “strategically aligned” with the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, specifically supporting the country’s ambition to construct EV assembly plants.
stocksng.com, nigerianobservernews.com
Keyword: Nigeria targets introducing 12,000 electric buses in Lagos State