New Electric Vehicles (NEV) has launched the NEVT6 Bus, Nigeria’s first locally manufactured electric vehicle in a milestone towards transition to sustainable and eco-friendly transportation.
At the unveiling in Abuja, involving federal government dignitaries, industry leaders and global stakeholders, NEVT6 Bus was applauded for showcasing Nigeria’s potential as a hub for clean energy solutions and advanced manufacturing.
NEV founder and CEO, Mosope Olaosebikan stated that the launch marked a rallying point for African self-reliance and green energy revolution.
Reflecting on NEV’s journey, he recounted overcoming market skepticism, policy barriers, and technical challenges to answer a question of “Why not us? and emphasised that the NEVT6 Bus symbolised Nigeria’s “ingenuity, grit, and refusal to wait for solutions from abroad.
According to him, the NEVT6 Bus merges cutting-edge technology with affordability and key to its success being Nigeria’s vast lithium reserves, leveraged to produce locally sourced batteries, a strategic move lauded by Minister of Science and Technology Uche Geoffrey Nnaji.
“Tonight, we declare that the future of mobility isn’t imported, it’s built here, charged here and driven here.
We’re converting raw materials into high-value products on Nigerian soil,” he stated, highlighting the vehicle’s zero-emission design as critical to achieving national carbon neutrality goals”, he said.
Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, praised the efforts of NEV, noting that the country’s vast lithium resources are a key asset in the development of affordable and sustainable electric vehicles.
“By using locally sourced lithium for batteries, we are not just advancing the electric vehicle industry; we are ensuring that Nigeria’s raw materials are transformed into high-value products right here at home,” he said.
Nnaji also highlighted the government’s commitment to carbon neutrality, noting that the NEVT6 Bus produces zero emissions, contributing to Nigeria’s green energy future.
Minister of state for Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, spoke on the project’s economic promise, saying “NEV is driving President Buhari’s vision for industrialisation and job creation, this isn’t just a bus, it’s a blueprint for economic diversification.”
“This event is monumental. It aligns perfectly with the government’s push to increase local production of electric vehicles, and I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of a transformative journey for Nigeria’s automotive industry,” he stated.
Aligning with the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), the initiative is projected to generate thousands of jobs while slashing reliance on fossil-fuel imports.
According to the manufacturer, The NEVT6 Bus boasts a 300km range on a single charge, durability tailored to African road conditions and energy efficiency at 30 percent lower operational costs than diesel alternatives.
(Leadership)
