First Electric Cars in Nigeria, Can Electric Cars Really Work in Nigeria?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are vehicles that are powered by an electric motor, instead of a traditional internal combustion engine. They are fueled by a rechargeable battery that stores electrical energy, which can be recharged from a variety of sources, including grid power or solar panels. EVs have several advantages over traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, including lower operating costs, reduced emissions, and increased energy efficiency. Additionally, they offer a more silent and smoother driving experience compared to traditional vehicles.

However, EVs also have some challenges, such as limited driving range and the lack of charging infrastructure in some areas. The cost of EVs is also typically higher than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, although the cost is decreasing as technology advances and production volumes increase.

Despite these challenges, the market for EVs is growing rapidly, driven by increasing concern about climate change, oil price volatility, and the desire for more sustainable transportation options.

Electric Cars in Nigeria

The adoption of electric cars in Nigeria is still in its early stages, and there are several obstacles to widespread adoption, such as the lack of charging infrastructure and the high cost of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Nevertheless, there is growing interested in electric cars in Nigeria, and the Nigerian government has expressed its support for the development of the electric vehicle industry in the country.

As electric cars become more accessible and affordable, they are expected to play an increasingly important role in addressing Nigeria’s transportation needs. They can provide a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, helping to reduce air pollution and dependence on oil imports.

Additionally, the widespread adoption of electric cars in Nigeria could create new job opportunities and support the growth of the local economy.

Types of Electric Cars in Nigeria

They’re some of the popular electric car brands worldwide include Tesla, Nissan, BMW, and Renault. These brands offer a variety of electric car models, ranging from compact city cars to luxury SUVs. but in Nigeria, below is the list of Electric Cars in Nigeria

Chevrolet Volt

Just in case you are concerned about the possibility of always getting a place to constantly charge your electric car, the Chevrolet Volt is just the answer to your concern. This car can be fully powered by electricity and also run on gasoline, which makes it the perfect hybrid car you need for whatever journey you want to take, it is designed to perfectly answer the owner’s needs.

The Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid is a product from General Motors, it is the first commercially available car of its kind to use an electric motor as well as a gasoline-powered generator.  Chevrolet Volt owners can easily charge using the standard 120-volt cord that can plug into any outlet or with the available 240-volt home charging station. If you are on a long journey, and your car happens to run out of electric power, the gas-powered generator immediately kicks in such that you are not left stranded.

With two electric motors powered by the battery, the Chevrolet Volt can travel as far as 53 miles powered by electricity alone. The car can cover a total of about 420 miles on a full charge and with a full fuel tank.

With a comfy front seat and an easy-to-operate 8-inch touchscreen which contains the car’s main technical operations, the Chevrolet Volt offers a pleasant driving experience such that you feel at ease behind the wheels.

The Chevrolet Volt currently has a starting price of around ₦22 million, which makes it a real value for money.

Hyundai Kona

The first of its kind assembled and made by Nigeria’s first Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Stallion Group, the Hyundai Kona is the first locally-made electric car in Nigeria. This provides proof that Nigeria is ready to be in sync with the world’s tilt towards green automobiles. Hyundai Kona was first launched in November 2020 by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu.

Hyundai Kona is a fully electric car that can travel for up to 482km after 9.35 hours of charging. The electric car has an inbuilt 201-hp electric motor powered by a 64.0-kWh battery that helps the Hyundai Kona EV achieve a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 6.4 seconds.

With the Hyundai Kona, you spend much less than regular cars, according to Stallion Motors, to fully charge the EV will cost 316NGN. The car also has impressive features with a sleek body, cargo space, and safety features making it the perfect family ride. This vehicle comes at a starting price of 24,000,000NGN – 28,000,000NGN

BMW I3 Electric

This electric vehicle with its sleek body and impressive interior comes in two models, which are the BMW i3 and BMW i3s trim. The car has a light body weight, sufficient cargo space and provides 4-passenger seating.

BMW i3 comes with amazing features such as 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, DC fast-charging capability, Keyless entry and push-button start, Auto-dimming mirrors, Automatic single-zone climate control, Cloth upholstery, Navigation system, 6.5-inch central display screen, Apple CarPlay, Front and rear parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking) amongst other brilliant features.

Powered by its electric batteries, the BMW i3 can travel for up to 153 miles on a full charge. However, a unique feature available with this car brand is its optional gas-powered range extender which gives the owner the option of not depending on electricity alone.

This car is expensive compared to its rivals.; the starting price comes at 30,000,000NGN.

Honda Clarity

This is one of the best-looking and easy-to-use electric vehicles you can find. The Honda Clarity design makes use of eco-friendly materials with a sophisticated interior design that depicts the brilliance of its engineers. The exterior of the Honda Clarity gives a breathtaking view of aerodynamic lines and LED Daytime Running Lights( DRLs).

As a plug-in hybrid car, if you own a Honda Clarity, you can enjoy both the efficiencies of a fully electric car and the flexibility of a gasoline-powered car, such that you enjoy peace of mind on your journey. When you are out of electricity, you need not worry, the gasoline-generating power immediately kicks in. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine (212 horsepower, 232 lb-ft) with an electric motor hybrid system and a 17-kWh lithium-ion battery.

The Honda Clarity is also equipped with intuitive technology and safety features to give you further security behind the wheels. Honda Clarity comes at a starting price of 12 million.

Tesla S Model

Tesla s, made by Tesla Inc. is another unique breed of electric cars you can find on the streets. Of all the Tesla models, only Tesla S has been spotted in Nigeria.

Tesla S is equipped with state-of-the-art features. It has a spacious interior design which contains the dashboard where you find the 17-inch touch-screen infotainment system. There are two kinds of Tesla S- the Long Range and the Performance trim. Equipped with two electric motors, the Long-range Model S can attain an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 3.7s and a top speed of 155mph; with an estimated range of 412 miles. The Performance Model S has an even journey of 0-60mph at 2.4s.

Tesla Model S offers good value for money. The Tesla Model S Long Range costs approximately $72,990 while the Tesla Model S Performance price starts at $99,990.

Also Read:

• Meet New Tesla Superchargers – Latest Cars For
• List Of Tesla Cars In Nigeria, Prices, And Reviews
• Tesla Model 3: The Complete Guide In Nigeria
• Can I Buy A Tesla In Nigeria? Is It Going To Work?

Kia Soul Ev

It is one of the most affordable electric cars you can find. The KIA Soul electric vehicle comes at a cost ranging from ₦ 12 million to ₦ 14 million. This offers good value for money considering the top-notch tech features the electric vehicle is equipped with. These tech features include smooth acceleration, Bluetooth, navigation and simple safety features. The vehicle has sufficient cargo space and can comfortably seat about 4-5 adults.

Electric vehicles are here to stay. While there are not many electric vehicles on Nigerian roads as of now, we expect that there will be more electric car owners in Nigeria.

Can Electric Cars really work in Nigeria?

Yes, electric cars can work in Nigeria, and there is growing interest in the use of electric cars as a solution to the challenges posed by traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, such as fuel scarcity and high operating costs.

However, there are several obstacles to the widespread adoption of electric cars in Nigeria, including the lack of charging infrastructure as we early mention, the high cost of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, and limited consumer awareness of the benefits of electric cars.

To make electric cars a viable option in Nigeria, the government and private sector will need to invest in the development of charging infrastructure, as well as in education and awareness programs to promote the adoption of electric cars.

Additionally, policies that encourage the production and use of electric cars, such as tax incentives, subsidies, and import tariffs, will help to make electric cars more accessible and affordable for Nigerian consumers.

In conclusion, electric cars have the potential to play an important role in addressing Nigeria’s transportation needs, but significant investment and policy support will be needed to overcome the challenges to widespread adoption.

First Electric Cars in Nigeria

Nigeria’s first locally assembled Electric car, the Hyundai Kona was unveiled by Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Director-General, NADDC, Mr Jelani Aliyu, at Abuja in 2021

The Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo has congratulated Stallion Group and its subsidiary, Hyundai Nigeria for introducing the first Electric Vehicle into the Nigerian market.

This makes Hyundai Kona the first locally assembled Electric car in Nigeria, the Kona is offered in both gasoline-powered and electric versions. The electric version, called the Hyundai Kona Electric, is powered by a high-capacity battery and an electric motor, providing a zero-emissions driving experience. The electric Kona has a range of up to 258 miles on a single charge and offers a smooth and quiet driving experience, with instant torque and quick acceleration.

The Hyundai Kona Electric is available in various markets worldwide, including Nigeria. However, the availability of electric Kona in Nigeria may be limited, and the price may be higher than in other countries due to import duties and other fees. Despite this, the electric Kona is becoming increasingly popular in Nigeria as a solution to the challenges posed by traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, such as fuel scarcity and high operating costs.

Cost of Repairing Electric Cars in Nigeria

The cost of repairing electric cars in Nigeria may vary depending on several factors, such as the specific model, the age of the vehicle, and the nature of the repair. Generally, the cost of repairing electric cars in Nigeria may be higher than the cost of repairing traditional gasoline-powered vehicles due to the complexity of the electrical systems and the need for specialized training and equipment.

However, the cost of repairing electric cars in Nigeria is likely to decrease as the market for electric vehicles grows and more repair facilities become equipped to handle electric cars.

Additionally, electric cars typically have fewer moving parts than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, which can reduce the need for repairs and maintenance over time. It’s important to note that the cost of repairing electric cars in Nigeria may also be influenced by the availability of parts and components, as well as the local labour costs.

It’s always a good idea to research the cost of repairs and maintenance for a specific electric car model before making a purchase and to factor in these costs when comparing the total cost of ownership for electric cars versus traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.