The tale of a Lagos-based electric vehicle owner

While it is a nascent trend in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, the electric vehicle (EV) dialogue is growing. Green energy advocates see them as one of the best ways to tackle climate change but many drivers are excited about the reduced maintenance costs and zero reliance on petrol.

In Nigeria, internal combustion engine (ICE) cars still rule the roads. This is expected given the country’s status as a major crude oil producer and the historically poor supply of electricity. However, the Stallion Group launched the first-ever electric car assembled in Nigeria in 2020 and several Nigerians have purchased electric vehicles.

Although the country’s EV adoption rate is low, Foluso Oyefodunrin who drives a 2021 Changan E-Star, an electric hatchback, believes Nigerians stand plenty to gain from making the switch but they should be. Oyefodunrin works as the Admin Officer of The Residences, a luxury housing project in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

Although Foluso is a first-time user of electric vehicles, he was not new to the conversation before he got his car last December. He mentioned that while he had heard about them, seeing electric-powered cars was a rarity in Nigeria.

The motivation to get an Electric Vehicle

Like smartphones, EVs come with batteries that must be charged regularly. Depending on the battery capacity, driving behaviour, and other factors, an Electric Vehicle can travel between 160 and 482 kilometres on a full charge. 

One of the major challenges that stand in the way of EV adoption in Nigeria has always been where to charge them, considering the hours of electricity needed to keep the vehicle running, just as there are limited or non-existent charging points.

Foluso shared an intriguing detail. “The purpose of driving this car was part of a business venture myself and some partners planned to establish. We plan to build a network of charging stations. To determine whether the idea would work out, we acquired a few vehicles for a test run,” he told Technext.  

On the subject of charging, he said it has been easy for him so far but this may not be the reality for other electric vehicle owners. Working at The Residences, a building with a steady electricity supply so he gets to recharge almost anytime he wants with his 240V home charger.

An EV owner can opt for the slower 120V charger or reduce the wait time by using a 240Vc charger. DC fast charge exists, but that is available at charging stations. While 120V and 240V connectors take hours, a DC fast charger can take the car’s battery from 0% to 80% in minutes. 

Read also: Drive Electric offers $1.05m grant to support 7 electric mobility projects in Africa and S/America

Driving range in focus 

Using the charging port at The Residences, he said it takes roughly 12 hours to get a full charge. Essentially, EV owners will get a fully charged battery if the process is done overnight. Foluso’s Changan E-Star can drive for up to 310 kilometres with a fully charged battery. He also revealed that being at a standstill in traffic will not drain the battery. 

“It’s like your smartphone. Even when turned on, the battery won’t drain fast unless you multitask or run heavy apps. EVs are the same. When stationary, the battery does not deplete quickly,”

Instead, he lists overspeeding and using the air-conditioning system as major reasons for EV batteries being drained faster.

Despite having regular power to recharge his car, Foluso’s ownership experience is not flawless. He recounted two events that echoed the downsides of EVs in a relatively new market like Nigeria. “Once, I drove from Lakowe to Amuwo Odofin with 60 kilometres to spare. That was my first experience driving an EV with a low battery. To minimize the battery, I turned off the air-conditioning system and did not overspeed,” he said.  

On the second occasion, his car ran out of charge some minutes away from his workplace around midnight. Thankfully, the distance was little so he pushed the hatchback.

EVs are the future, but work must be done 

Admittedly, Nigeria has plenty of work if it intends to increase EV adoption. More charging stations must be built with interstate travellers also considered. Although Foluso said he once drove his hatchback from Lagos to Abeokuta on a single charge, the same can not be said for travellers going to farther locations.  Consider Lagos to Asaba or Abuja to Lagos. 

EV charging stations must populate the highways the way petrol stations do. Aside from building the stations, the stations must always be ready for use. Foluso recalled one time when he visited the station at Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island. Upon reaching the station, he could not use the chargers due to an ongoing system upgrade.