Photo caption: Electric vehicle
SAGLEV, a Nigerian electric vehicle assembler, has launched a new plant in Lagos, looking to scale production to 10,000 vehicles annually, a stride toward sustainable mobility in Nigeria.
The facility, which currently has an installed capacity of 2,600 vehicles per year, is designed to expand to meet a target output of 10,000 electric vehicles annually.
The plant will also assemble BRT buses and passenger cars, with a vision tailored for urban transport systems.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the National Automotive Design and Development Council, SAGLEV Chairman and CEO Sam Faleye highlighted the company’s mission to provide affordable, locally assembled electric vehicles while driving clean transportation and job creation.
“It has taken three years of planning, approvals, and intensive staff training to get to this point. But now, we’re ready, and our EVs are already hitting the road,” said Faleye.
Faleye also addressed cost concerns, noting that SAGLEV’s electric models are priced at under 60 per cent of comparable petrol-powered vehicles, and each unit comes with a charger. “We’re making EVs accessible to everyday Nigerians,” saying even homes with 20 kVA generators can charge the modern electric cars.
SAGLEV is partnering with agencies such as the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority to integrate electric buses into the city’s public transportation network.
Representing NADDC Director-General Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin, Deputy Director of Press and Protocol Felicia Oyebolu commended the development, saying, “We want the world to see that we are not just importers but also builders.”
Keystone Bank’s Head of Business Sustainability, Akinwunmi Olukeye, also declared support for the plant, citing the environmental and economic advantages of electric vehicles.
“This is a smart, future-focused move that aligns with Nigeria’s sustainability goals,” he said.
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