Nigeria’s automobile manufacturer Innoson Vehicles has rolled out its first locally manufactured electric vehicle (EV), joining the growing push towards electric mobility.
Cornel Osigwe, the Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs for the company, made the announcement in a post on Facebook, sharing his experience driving EV at the firm’s production plant in Nnewi, Anambra State. “I just test-drove the first Innoson electric vehicle produced in Nnewi. We are just starting,” he said.
While the EVs are said to be undergoing quality-control inspection, details such as the vehicle’s pricing, the number of units produced or the expected timeline for its commercial release remain unknown.
Despite this, experts have hailed the carmaker’s groundbreaking feat as enhancing Nigeria’s potential for homegrown innovation. An advocate for local industrial development on X (formerly Twitter) argued that the federal government should invest $200 million in indigenous companies such as Innoson and Nord Motors rather than in foreign brands. “No developed country grew their economy by relying on outsiders,” he emphasised.
Innoson Vehicles, which was founded in 2007, prides itself on producing 70% of its car parts in eastern Nigeria.
A trail of Criticisms
Although not Nigeria’s first locally assembled electric vehicle, Innoson’s EV debut has met with criticism with regard to originality. Social-media users have pointed out similarities between Innoson’s model and the Nammi 01, an electric car launched in China earlier this year.
Affordability is another major concern. With Nigeria facing one of the highest electricity costs globally, many observers are questioning who can realistically afford these electric vehicles. As one user said, “It’s safe to say the car is not produced for a middle-class family, as their incomes have been severely eroded.”
Additionally, detractors have also taken swipes at the advertisement campaign for the new electric car, where the driver is shown to be making a phone call while on the wheels. “It’s wrong to drive while on the phone. Innoson should recall this advert and replace it with one that doesn’t contravene traffic laws,” one user noted.
In response, Osigwe revealed in a follow-up post that the inaugural batch of the company’s EVs has been sold out, explaining that the earlier post had been a clever gimmick to draw attention and generate buzz for the company’s recent production. “Any experienced media person knows that what sells in news is bad news and not good news,” he remarked.
A Power-starved Nation
Innoson’s EV debut comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with chronic energy shortages amidst increasing electricity tariffs, forcing citizens to rely on expensive backup alternatives. It is against this background that some experts reckon that solar-powered cars may be a more sustainable solution, given the country’s abundant sunshine.
In line with global automotive trends, Innoson’s move towards electric vehicles also aligns with efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Still it remains to be seen how the company’s EVs will fare in a challenging economic climate as Nigeria’s.
Nigeria’s automobile manufacturer Innoson Vehicles has launched its first locally manufactured electric vehicle (EV) at its production plant in Nnewi, Anambra State. While the EVs are currently undergoing quality-control inspections, details on pricing, production numbers, and commercial release timelines remain unavailable.
Experts have praised this development for boosting Nigeria's potential in homegrown innovation. However, there has been skepticism about the vehicle’s originality, with claims it resembles China's Nammi 01. Additionally, concerns about affordability are prominent due to Nigeria’s high electricity costs. Criticism also targeted Innoson’s advertising campaign for depicting unsafe driving practices.
Despite these issues, Innoson’s EV batch has reportedly sold out, suggesting significant interest. This advancement comes amidst Nigeria's severe energy shortages, leading some experts to suggest solar-powered vehicles as a more sustainable option. Overall, Innoson's shift to EVs aligns with global trends to reduce carbon emissions, though success in Nigeria's tough economic conditions remains to be seen.
