Lately, Nigeria has grappled with extreme air air pollution, primarily attributed to the proliferation of gasoline-powered bikes, generally referred to as “okadas.” These two-wheelers, whereas serving as a significant mode of transportation for tens of millions, have contributed considerably to the environmental challenges.
With the rise in gas which has risen to N679.36/litre as of February 2024 from N263.76 in February 2023 as reported by the Nationwide Bureau of statistic, riders are embracing low-carbon bikes, powered by electrical energy or cleaner fuels, as a viable various.
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In accordance with a latest report by the Powering Renewable Vitality Alternatives (PREO) program, electrical bikes will play a big function within the transformation of sub-Saharan Africa’s transportation system in direction of turning into sustainable.
The report outlined the market alternative for e-motorcycles, predicting that it’ll change into a driving pressure within the African e-mobility sector estimated to be value about $3.65 billion in 2021. The market is projected to develop to $5.07 billion by 2027.
“Investing in e-motorcycles offers a path to extra sustainable and equitable development throughout African communities and addresses the pressing subject of local weather change,” Jon Lane, PREO programme director, stated.
In 2021, Nigerian mobility startup Metro Africa Xpress (MAX) turned Africa’s most-funded startup within the electrical car (EV) house when it raised $31 million in a collection B spherical to increase into Ghana and Egypt.
Nevertheless, trade advocates consider the corporate’s objectives are too formidable given the excessive EV costs, unfriendly authorities insurance policies, lack of charging infrastructure, excessive customs duties, and dangerous roads in African international locations.
“There’s a future for EVs in Africa. Nevertheless, the market situations and enterprise fashions have to be applicable,” Uche Okoro, an vitality analyst stated.
In accordance with trade estimates, greater than 90 % of electrical bikes bought in sub-Saharan Africa are imported from China and India and will not be constructed for African situations.
With an plentiful provide of uncooked supplies in Nigeria, significantly minerals and metals, in addition to its increasing financial system and sizable inhabitants to construct electrical automobiles, inadequate native manufacturing nonetheless leaves a big hole that’s stuffed by imports.
Moreover, the adoption of low-carbon bikes aligns with Nigeria’s broader vitality transition objectives. Because the nation seeks to diversify its vitality combine and scale back reliance on fossil fuels, initiatives selling electrical automobiles and various fuels acquire momentum.
By embracing these applied sciences, Lagos strikes nearer to realizing its imaginative and prescient of a cleaner, extra sustainable city surroundings.
In accordance with reviews by remainder of the world, Glovo desires to pilot a large-scale EV program for its riders in Nigeria and is in talks with producers.
The corporate at present has 1,400 gig staff registered on its app in Nigeria — half of whom use conventional bikes, and the opposite half use bicycles.
“Glovo goals to cut back its world carbon footprint by 2030 by having 68 % of its fleet comprise non-combustion automobiles. Presently, 8 % of the corporate’s fleet is electrical,” the report stated.
Whereas gig staff’ gradual adoption of EVs is a big growth, the federal government must step in to assist this shift, Muda Yusuf, former director of the enterprise advocacy group Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Business stated.
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“The federal government must construct an surroundings that makes electrical bikes cheaper, particularly to assist these within the gig financial system and stop job losses,” he stated.
Max, the EV mobility startup in February donated low-emission car to the Lagos State Residents Registration Company (LASRRA) to assist the distribution of registration playing cards throughout the state.
“It may possibly by no means come at a greater time than this when the Company wants to maneuver quick with the distribution of LAG-ID playing cards to houses of some residents, who couldn’t choose up their playing cards as a result of unexpected circumstances. With the presentation of those sturdy Bikes, the Company is assured of pace, security and reliability’’, Adebiyi-Abiola Bilikiss, normal supervisor of
LASRRA stated.
