Will electric buses hold up to Lagos' renowned heavy traffic?
In a bid to reduce carbon emissions and improve the city's transportation infrastructure, Lagos, Nigeria's bustling metropolis, has introduced electric buses as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional BRT buses and yellow Danfo buses.
The transportation sector accounts for over 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Lagos, with most of these emissions coming from small cars. By transitioning to mass transit buses, such as electric buses, the city aims to make a significant impact on its carbon footprint.
Currently, there are only two electric buses in Lagos, plying the Oshodi to Obalende and Oshodi to Ikorodu routes. These vehicles, a result of a partnership between Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) and Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), can travel up to 280 kilometres before needing a charge, making approximately five round trips between Oshodi and Obalende (26.4km) on a full charge.
Duncan Byencit, a senior associate researcher at Cleantech Hub, is optimistic about the nationwide adoption of electric buses, following Lagos' lead. Byencit suggests that adopting electric vehicles for mass transit could alleviate commuters' concerns, particularly in light of the recent increase in fare prices for public transport due to the removal of fuel subsidies.
However, Kola Ojelabi, public relations officer for LAMATA, stated that they cannot introduce differential fares until data is gathered during the proof-of-concept phase. This phase is crucial in establishing the viability of electric vehicles for mass transportation in Lagos State.
Byencit also believes that electric bus adoption could happen state-by-state, eventually leading to government intervention. Proper maintenance of electric buses is essential for their sustainability, and Byencit stresses that this must be addressed to ensure the long-term success of the electric bus initiative.
Lagos aims to achieve a zero-carbon goal by 2050, and the introduction of electric buses is part of this larger plan for sustainable urban transportation solutions. The electric buses and the regular BRTs currently have the same fare prices, making them an accessible option for commuters.
The shift towards electric transportation is not limited to Lagos, as SAGLEV Electromobility Company Limited has introduced electric vehicles in Nigeria. This trend could potentially pave the way for future shifts towards electric buses in urban transportation systems like BRT. However, any such transition would likely depend on factors like infrastructure development, public demand, and economic feasibility.
Despite the economic challenges faced by Nigeria, with the country's inflation rate increasing to 22.27% this year, the introduction of electric buses represents a step towards a greener, more sustainable future for Lagos and potentially the rest of the country.
- Science and technology are essential for the sustainable future of Lagos, as they are driving the development of electric buses, a key component of the city's transportation infrastructure.
- The finance sector plays a crucial role in promoting environmental-science-driven initiatives like the adoption of electric buses, as potential economic feasibility assessments can influence their widespread adoption.
- As the transportation sector accounts for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions, the integration of electric buses into the industry could potentially have a substantial impact on Nigeria's overall carbon footprint, contributing to the nation's environmental goals.
