EVs are popping up everywhere – Is Nigeria’s Transportation finally shifting?

Lagos is the city that never sleeps. From the blaring horns of danfos to the quick zips of okadas and the air-conditioned rides of (some) Bolt and Uber, moving around is as much a part of Lagos life as the traffic that slows it down.

However, in the past year, something new has been quietly slipping into the mix: electric vehicles. No engine roar, no exhaust fumes just the low hum of battery-powered motors.

The question is no longer if you’ll see an EV in Lagos. It’s now whether these sightings mark the start of a genuine shift in Nigerian transportation or just another passing phase.

The catalyst : Fuel prices and public frustration

Transportation in Nigeria has always lived and died by the pump price. Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government removed fuel subsidies in May 2023, the price of petrol jumped from ₦198 per litre to ₦540 almost overnight; a 172% increase.

By mid-2024, the price had crossed the ₦1,000 mark before settling at ₦900 in August 2025, helped by Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price cut down to ₦820. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), transport costs have risen by more than 270% year-on-year since the subsidy removal.

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The ripple effects are everywhere:

• Mowe to Berger fares: from ₦700 → ₦1,000
• Ibafo to Oshodi fares: from ₦800 → ₦1,500
• Old Garage to Mowe (motorcycles): from ₦800 → ₦1,300–₦1,500
  

Mr. George, a Bolt driver, says his weekly fuel spend has nearly doubled from ₦90,000 in 2023 to ₦150,000–₦180,000 today.

And it’s not just drivers feeling the pinch. For Lagos mother of three, Mrs. Onome, transportation costs have reshaped her daily life. “I’ve had to trek to work so I can afford my children’s school transport. The day I can’t pay, they stay home.”

Early signs – The rise of EVs

While EV adoption in Nigeria is still small, there are visible signs of momentum:

• University campuses – UNILAG introduced electric shuttle buses in 2023. Fares dropped from ₦200 (after subsidy removal) back to ₦100. The fleet doubled from 10 to 20 buses within a year, showing strong uptake.
  
  
• Ride-hailing – eDRYV, a fully electric ride-hailing service, offers cheaper trips than Uber or Bolt. Example: Ikeja to Lekki costs ₦11,000 on eDRYV vs. ₦13,000–₦15,000 on ICE-based services.
  
  
• Corporate rentals – Companies like Autogirl now offer mid-size EV SUVs for as low as ₦12,000/hour. In contrast, post-subsidy removal, renting a Toyota Highlander for a day now costs ₦130,000–₦150,000.
  
  

According to our research , there are now some players in the charging network industry; Nev electric with about 120 charging points nationwide, E-Mobility with 29 charging points, Qoray with about 15 charging points, Folti technologies with about 12 charging points and Saglev with about 5 charging points across Lagos as of today August 2025.

The economics – Why EVs can win

The biggest argument for EVs is cost stability. Unlike petrol, electricity tariffs don’t swing wildly week to week.

For a mid-size SUV working an average of 6 days a week:

• ICE vehicle fuel cost – ₦150,000–₦180,000/week (Bolt driver average).
• EV charging cost – ₦15,000 per full charge, twice a week = ₦30,000/week.

That’s up to 80% in energy cost savings. Add to that:

• Zero customs import duty tax
• No engine oil changes.
• Fewer moving parts = lower maintenance.
• Longer service intervals.
  

Over a year, an EV driver could save upwards of ₦6 million compared to a petrol driver enough to offset a higher upfront purchase cost within 3–4 years for commercial operators.

The roadblocks: What’s slowing the shift

Still, EV adoption faces hurdles:

1. Charging infrastructure gaps – While growing, chargers are concentrated in commercial hubs like Victoria Island, Lekki, and Ikeja. Many suburbs remain uncovered.
   
   
2. Public perception – Concerns about battery life in Nigeria’s hot climate, range anxiety, and lack of skilled EV technicians.

That said, private sector players like, E-Mobility Africa, Nev electric,  Folti technologies and Autogirl are investing in networks,skilled technicians and trainings for technicians and drivers for electric vehicles.

Conclusion: from niche to necessity?

Right now, EVs adoption in Nigeria are still very low. However, their early wins which are lower running costs, cheaper fares, cleaner rides are hard to ignore especially in times like this with volatile fuel pricing and customs pricing updates which promise to shoot vehicle acquistion costs up even more.

If charging infrastructure expands, and public trust grows, EVs could move from novelty to necessity. In a city where transportation is the lifeline for millions, a shift to electric could mean more stable fares, less inflationary pressure, and a cleaner environment.

The silent hum of an EV might just be the sound of Nigeria’s transportation future, if we choose to listen.

Arinze Chinazom
CEO , Autogirl limited