By Cliffsimeon Akalonu
It is no longer news that the world is moving from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to Electric Vehicles (EVs). This is because of the numerous benefits to the vehicle owner, economy and environment.
It has already been established that Electric vehicles are cheaper to run when compared to the cost of weekly re-fuelling of the gas tank; and cheaper to maintain because they have less moving parts. No expensive exhaust systems, starter motors, fuel injection systems, radiators and many other parts that aren’t needed in an EV.
Other benefits that the EV bring is that it is friendlier to the environment, helping to check the troubles associated with global warming etc.
No wonder countries all over the world are not looking back, in their migration from the ICE vehicles to the modern electric vehicles.
Hence, it was a welcome development recently when leading auto assemblers and distributor in the Nigerian market, Stallion Motors, decided to break the ice by championing the offering of electric vehicles in Nigeria, with the expected introduction of the Hyundai Kona SUV.
Stallion Group CEO, Mr. Anant Badjatya, had earlier in the year, revealed plans of the conglomerate to officially launch the Hyundai Kona into the Nigerian market.
According to him, “after operating successfully in Nigeria for over five decades, the least our company could give back to the country and by extension, the world is to be a leading pilot in steering the nation to the direction of clean energy use and reduction of emission.
“Not being dissuaded by the nation’s infrastructural challenges, one of our plans for this year is to introduce into the country Electric Vehicle (EV) and, in no distant future, embark on attitude change campaign for a clean environment in conjugation with Hyundai.
“Well-meaning and concerned people globally are urgently making moves to save our dear planet.”
The Hyundai Kona EV is expected to be the first All-Electric SUV in Nigeria, as its debut is expected during the year.
Driving the power packed performance Hyundai Kona EV will provide a thrilling experience with high acceleration over long distances. Driving range is 482 km with an acceleration of (0-100kms) in 9.7 secs.
Though charging has been a major issue with EV owners, Hyundai has checked this by ensuring that with Kona SUV EV, the ease of charging is unmatched, gaining full battery charge capacity at home or at work after only 9.35 hours.
With the current public electricity charges, residential consumers categorised under R1 are charged only N4 per kilowatt, by extension, N316 (N4x79kWat) to get a full charge.
Known for offering unprecedented warranty packages, Stallion Motors will be giving five years of battery warranty and five years of vehicle warranty for the Hyundai Kona.
Interestingly, the lead agency in Nigeria for automotive development- National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has seen the need for embrace of EVs in the country.
It would be recalled that the NADDC, in its pursuit of EV development in the country, assigned the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), University of Lagos, Usman Dan Fodio University and Metrological Institute for the design and production of a made-in-Nigeria electric car.
Acknowledging that the NADDC is geared towards providing an enabling environment for the EV technology in Nigeria, NADDC Director General, Mr. Jelani Aliyu had said “We have met and discussed with both electric vehicle and charging station manufacturers in China and Germany towards the pilot programne.”
Industry stakeholders are optimistic that the Stallion Group has the required pedigree and international leverage to pioneer the EVs in Nigeria and even kick start local EV assembling.
Stallion’s Automobiles Division is part of the Stallion group, and it consists of different companies representing an array of globally renowned automobile brands on an exclusive basis for distribution, sales and after-sales service.
