The Managing Director of BYD Motors Nigeria, Moses Ayom, has expressed his company’s ambition to make Nigeria the electric vehicle manufacturing and marketing hub in West Africa through collaboration. This comes as the company, in partnership with a Chinese EV company, is set to exhibit its electric cars at the Tukur Buratai Research Centre in Nasarawa State. The event, which also featured the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and a Nobel laureate, Dr. Wole Soyinka, among others, aimed to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in Nigeria.
According to Ayom, Nigeria has the potential to lead the electric vehicle market in West Africa, mirroring the trend in China, where 85% of cars are now electric. He stated that the company is working towards making their vehicles affordable, with a target to complete a full charge in just eight hours using a home charging kit, which would cost around N14,000.
BYD Motors has also announced plans to set up an EV assembly plant in Nigeria if the brand gains popularity. The company’s Technical Head, Rhak Argo, showcased two EV models, which have the capacity to cover 510km and 610km on a single full charge.
The event also featured the exhibition of Ketti District, a property development project referred to as “Africa’s First Net-Zero Green City.” This project aims to promote sustainable living and environmental conservation. Additionally, the event showcased furniture items produced in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).
Ongoing concerns about the high cost of electric vehicles and the limited incentives for Nigerians to switch to electric vehicles were also discussed. However, BYD Motors is optimistic that its vehicles can become more affordable, citing its target of reducing the cost of charging to about N14,000. The company is working to address these challenges through research and development, in collaboration with organizations like the Tukur Buratai Research Centre.