Oando brings EV mass transit online in Lagos

Sopuruchi Onwuka

Indigenous energy company, Oando, Tuesday commissioned the first commercial mass transit system that would runs on electric vehicles, coming just one year after signing a collaboration pact with Lagos State government to innovate emission free transportation system that cut health risks.

The programme which deploys air-conditioned Yutong buses with wifi facilities will aim to cut disturbing 11,500 fume related health problems and associated $2.5 billion or N1.75 trillion treatment cost recorded in the state annually.

The renewable energy subsidiary of Oando, Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), launched the programme in partnership with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) at a grand ceremony at Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL) Head Office, Illupeju, Lagos, to mark introduction electric mass transit buses in the country.

The Oracle Today reports that Oando has reputation for energy business innovation in the country. The company had in the past taken the initial strides in captive power production, virtual pipeline gas, and upstream business integration models.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Oando Clean Energy Limited, Dr Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune, told The Oracle Today, at the venue of the commissioning at the premises of Lagos Bus Services Limited, that the project was part of the company’s expanding business portfolios in response to the global shift to green energy.

He said Oando was taking early position in the global demand shift towards new energy sources as the world embraces climate action and energy alternatives to fossil fuel.

According to him, Oando has laid out adequate capital and operating expenditure to provide the mass transit programme with supporting infrastructure, including charging ports that would also be powered with green energy.

He said the company was taking early measures in compliance to the new global industry regulation on environmental, social and governance responsibility. The commitment, he explained, has enabled Oando to expand its business portfolios along the path of net zero obligations.

Dr. Ainojie noted an urgent need for deployment of electric vehicles to address estimated 62% contribution to Nigeria’s GHG emissions by the transportation industry,

“This is an opportunity for us to revolutionize mobility in our country as well as build local capacity for the renewable and clean energy ecosystem. Whilst today these buses have come from across the world, in the very near future they will be produced here in Nigeria. In the very near future, we will have a multitude of locally trained engineers who are capable of operating, maintaining, and servicing these buses and other renewable energy assets. We see these buses as a first step.

This Proof of Concept (PoC) EV mass transit system, he pointed out, “facilitates the collection of the first sets of data points to support the development and deployment of EV for municipal and public transport on the continent. Our ambition together with Lagos state is to set our sights on the future and chart a path for others to follow. We have worked tirelessly to get here, and we are confident that the steps we are taking, which I must reiterate would not have been possible without the support of Lagos state, LAMATA, LBSL, Primero, and His Excellency, the Governor, who saw the vision and imperative of committing to this journey.”

The Oracle Today reports that the initiative to transition the Lagos State public transport system to a carbon free mobility drew applause from stakeholders who consider the EV buses a viable, competitive, and environmentally friendly alternative to the current internal combustion engine mass transit buses.

In his welcome remarks the Managing Director of LAMATA, Engr. Abinbola Akinajo declared that “This initiative is a major aspect of our vision for transportation in Lagos State. We are desirous of having a clean and efficient transportation system.”

He said the event was a proof of government’s desire to involve the private sector in our activities to give the average Lagosian the ability to meet their mobility needs through the use of electric vehicle (EV) mass transit.

“From LAMATA’s perspective we are open to do business with the private sector whilst ensuring that these partners are aligned with the vision of Lagos state.  I am elated that in just over a year that Oando Clean Energy came to us to discuss the possibility of working with us in the deployment of electric buses we have signed an MoU with a key deliverable being the implementation of a PoC that would allow us finally include electric buses in our ecosystem,” the LAMATA boss declared.

It would be noted that Lagos is the most populous city in sub-Saharan Africa, with a population of over 20 million people and growing.

In the last decade, the population of vehicles on Lagos roads have quadrupled; with over 3,000 mass transit buses operating in the state.  As the population continues to grow, with estimates of it increasing to as much as 100 million residents by 2100 so will the number of vehicles. 

Oando projects that Lagos contributes 44,000 kilogrammes (kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent per day.

“These, amongst others, make it a suitable development ground for sustainable technologies that can be replicated across Africa,” the company stated.

Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Lagos State, Engineer Olalere Odusote who was also at the event in his remarks said; “We had identified transportation as a major cause of pollutants and health problems in the State. For us, this initiative is another step we’re taking as a Government to ensure we clean up the environment in addition to ongoing initiatives in the energy sector.” 

Lagos State Commissioner of Transport, Dr. Frederic Oladeiende, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu said, “We are here today to write the script for a new future. Today, there is abundant evidence that shows that human activities have been the main drivers of climate change primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.  This situation has given rise to affirmative actions by world leaders and environmentalists to act fast to save our world.  Lagos is the only state in Nigeria that has prepared and initiated the execution of a climate action plan. The plan outlines 26 efforts covering adaptation and mitigation actions to build a sustainable low carbon economy in the pursuit of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”

Oando said the roll-out of the electric buses starts with a three-month proof-of-concept phase, aimed at establishing the viability of electric vehicles for mass transportation in Lagos State, and to derive key learnings for an expanded program across the country.

The PoC stage would be followed by a pilot phase with an expanded fleet and bus routes, and the eventual countrywide deployment creating employment for over 30,000 Nigerians.

Dr. Irune said that the company is committed to the success of this initiative and plans to expand its services through partnerships with leading players in the global renewable energy space.

“We believe that these electric vehicles have the potential to transform the transportation sector in Nigeria and provide a sustainable solution for the country’s growing population.”

To support the seamless running of the buses, OCEL has invested and deployed charging stations in bus depots to ensure the buses are always fully charged.  The project partners have also provided extensive training to the drivers on the proper use and maintenance of the buses.

“This project exemplifies Oando’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in achieving her ambitious goal of becoming net-zero by 2060, and indeed Lagos State’s commitment to net-zero by 2050. Through its strategic partnership with LAMATA, the company is actively contributing to the development of a robust EV infrastructure ecosystem in Lagos State and further underscores the importance of public and private sector partnerships in achieving being a carbon neutral Nation,” Oando declared.