President Tinubu Approves Electric Vehicle Deployment in Northeast States
President Bola Tinubu has approved the deployment of electric vehicles (e-vehicles) in Nigeria’s Northeast states. The move aims to ease mobility and reduce transportation fares.
Tinubu gave the approval at the State House in Abuja, receiving the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) leadership, led by CEO/Managing Director Mohammed Alkali.
Alkali explained that after analyzing the region, the NEDC found e-vehicles more advantageous than CNG-powered vehicles. The approved vehicles include buses, sedan taxis, and modified tricycles.
Key features:
- E-buses for intrastate transport, carrying 40 passengers
- E-taxis for three passengers plus the driver
- Modified tricycles carrying eight people plus the driver
The NEDC plans to:
- Create modular solar power units for backup power
- Establish 5KVA or 10KVA solar-powered grids
- Engage stakeholders, including road transport workers
This development follows Tinubu’s May 2024 directive for government agencies to procure CNG-powered or electric vehicles. The Federal Government recently handed over 64 CNG-powered buses to labor unions and students.
