As part of an initiative and efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions and reduce carbon emissions in the country, Oando, a leading energy company in Nigeria, has announced plans to deploy 5,000 electric buses for public transportation in Lagos.
During an interview with CNBC Africa, at the just concluded World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando, revealed that the company is partnering with the Lagos State Government to roll out the electric buses. He said,
“We are using gas as a transitional fuel to create electricity to generate the power to power buses, transport is 10% of global emissions so if we tackle public transport we would be able to reduce emissions by 5% almost immediately and the first step we’re doing now is also working on a public system of being able to transit the bus system in Nigeria from diesel or petrol to electric vehicles starting with a project which we’re working on with the Lagos state government as a pilot case where we expect to see up to 5,000 buses, e-buses being deployed in our streets.”
According to him, the project is expected to contribute significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Lagos, which is home to over 20 million people, and a significant step towards achieving Nigeria’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint. The adoption of electric vehicles will be a critical step towards mitigating climate change being that, the transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
“For every modicum of carbon we put into the economy, into the world and the environment, we are also taking that out by ensuring that we have carbon capture techniques as well as ensuring that our clean energy offering to as part of our products and services is high so we’re focusing a lot on e-vehicles,” he revealed.
Speaking about utilizing Africa’s vast resources to mitigate energy poverty, he said,
“The arguments for decarbonization are as important as the arguments for a just transition, and that transition has to recognize the fact that Africa has 45% of the people who have no access to electricity or energy products so our first step really must be to use what we need, which means that we need to use our gas as part of the energy mix to service the needs of our continent and that we need to do so as a transitional fuel whilst we work with an energy mix”
The electric buses will be manufactured by Yutong, the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, which has partnered with Oando to deliver the vehicles. The buses will be equipped with air conditioning and Wi-Fi, providing commuters with a comfortable and convenient mode of transportation.
Oando’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions is evident in its investment in renewable energy projects, including solar and wind power. The company’s vision is to be a leading provider of clean energy solutions in Africa, and this project is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
