E-mobility: FG Plans Solar, Wind-powered Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja 

The federal government at the weekend disclosed that it planned to ramp up the use of renewables, especially solar and wind energy in its bid to advance the penetration of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the country.
Nigeria’s apex agency responsible for the development of the automotive industry, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) disclosed this in Abuja at an e-mobility networking soiree organised by the Nigeria Off-grid Market Acceleration Programme (NOMAP).
NOMAP is a market building programme jointly supported by the Shell Foundation and USAID’s Scaling Off-grid Energy (SOGE), to identify unaddressed off-grid energy market barriers and implement high impact initiatives to tackle them.
Speaking at the event, NADDC’s Chief Executive, Joseph Osanipin, noted that the electric vehicles’  revolution was gaining momentum globally, and Nigeria was poised to join the ranks of countries embracing e-mobility. 
Osanipin, who was represented by the Director, Industrial Infrastructure Department of the NADDC, Dr Nua Omisanya, noted that the council has been working tirelessly to create an enabling environment for the adoption of EVs in Nigeria. 
He stated that among others, the NADDC has the mandate to sensitise Nigerians on energy sources for charging of electric vehicles, including grid electricity, whether home charging or public charging as well as renewable sources, mainly solar or wind power.
He stressed that the  NADDC has launched an e-mobility initiative to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in Nigeria in partnership with international organisations and the private sector.
According to him, renewable energy is a natural resource which will replenish the portion depleted by usage through natural reproduction or other recurring processes in a finite amount of time in a human time scale. 
“Some of the renewable energy sources available in Nigeria are wind and solar energy. NADDC is pioneering the use of solar power for EV charging stations,” he added.
As part of the council’s efforts in promoting vehicle electrification using renewable energy resources, he noted that the council has set up the solar powered EV charging station at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto;  University of Lagos and University of Nigeria, Nsukka, while the most recent one  is located at the NADDC headquarters in Abuja.
Representative of  Possible EVs, Mr Adetoba Obasa, in a goodwill message, described the event as a pivotal moment as Nigeria takes significant strides toward a low-carbon, sustainable future, with e-mobility playing a central role.
“The transition to electric vehicles is not just a technological revolution; it is a transformational step toward a cleaner environment, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians. 
“From revolutionising rural mobility to introducing innovative solutions in agriculture, the potential of e-mobility to touch every aspect of our lives is boundless. As we reflect on the progress we’ve made, let us also recognise the importance of collaboration,” Obasa said.
Also speaking, Team Lead, Electric Mobility Promoters Association of Nigeria (EMPAN), Dapo Adeshina, said the group was committed to driving the adoption of electric mobility solutions that revolutionise transportation, reduce emissions, and foster a green economy.
The synergy between off-grid energy and e-mobility, he said, presents an opportunity to reshape transportation, create jobs, and build local industries while enhancing energy security and sustainability.

In her intervention, Project Manager, Energy Portfolio, at Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), Zainab Datti, highlighted the collaborative work by several stakeholders on the Omi-Eko Project in Lagos state.

She stressed that the project will see the development of about 75 electric vessels, with 15 ferry routes and 25 terminals, 10 of which will have charging stations for boats.

According to her, the project is expected to at least reduce the time spent on street traffic by three hours and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent, compared to the diesel-powered vessels.