Rensource Energy and Metropolitan Electric (Metro EV) are set to launch a renewable-powered electric mobility platform in Nigeria, with plans to deploy 1,000 charging stations annually across the country.
The companies said operations under the new platform will begin on September 1, as they seek to tackle some of the major challenges slowing the adoption of electric vehicles in Nigeria.
The platform will bring electric vehicles, solar-powered charging stations, battery services and financing together, targeting individuals, businesses and commercial transport operators.
Under the partnership, the charging stations, to be known as Metro EV Stations, will be powered by Rensource Energy’s solar stations and mini farms. The stations will also supply electricity to businesses operating around them.
Rensource Mobility, the electric vehicle and clean transportation arm of Rensource Energy, will provide electric cars, tricycles and buses for both formal and informal transport operators.
The companies said they plan to maintain the 1,000-station annual rollout for the next 10 years, potentially putting thousands of charging points across Nigeria.
The initiative is also expected to provide vehicle diagnostics, maintenance and after-sales services, as well as payment and maintenance platforms for EV users.
Battery rental and replacement services will form part of the package, allowing users to swap batteries rather than wait for vehicles to charge and helping to address concerns about driving range.
The companies are also introducing a credit system based on cash flow, which they said would enable drivers and businesses to finance electric vehicles without bearing the full purchase cost upfront.
Chief Executive Officer of Rensource Energy, Dr Azizat Gbadegesin, said the company would bring its experience in renewable energy to the electric mobility sector.
“We are not just introducing electric vehicles. We are building the infrastructure, the technology, and the financing models to make sustainable transport work for every Nigerian,” she said.
Metro EV Chief Executive Officer, Olugbenga Obadina, said coordination among stakeholders would be important to accelerating the country’s transition to electric mobility.
“Nigeria has reached a critical stage in its transition to electric mobility. The policy pieces are largely in place. What is needed now is to connect them, with coordination and execution across agencies,” he said.
The partners said the cost of running an electric vehicle could also make the technology attractive to Nigerian motorists.
According to their estimates, travelling 400 kilometres in an electric vehicle would cost about N20,000 in electricity, compared with roughly N160,000 spent on petrol or diesel for the same distance.
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The companies said using renewable energy to power the charging network would also help reduce vehicle emissions and Nigeria’s carbon footprint.
They added that businesses could access financing based on verified carbon savings generated through the use of clean mobility solutions.
The launch comes as Nigeria’s electric vehicle market continues to develop, although inadequate charging infrastructure and unreliable electricity supply remain major challenges to wider adoption.
With the planned rollout, Rensource and Metro EV are betting that combining charging infrastructure with solar power, battery services and financing can make electric mobility more practical for Nigerian drivers and transport operators
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
