FG plans local manufacturing of electric vehicles

The Federal Government through the National Automotive Design and Development Council has initiated a process to begin the manufacturing and assembling of electric vehicles locally.

It is planning a collaborative partnership with a Moroccan firm to begin EV production locally.

The NADDC Director-General/CEO, Joseph Osanipin, disclosed this information in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, following his recent participation at the Nigeria-Morocco business forum.

At the event, Osanipin presented investment opportunities that abound in the Nigerian automotive industry to industry players in Morocco, highlighting local components manufacturing, electric vehicles, EV infrastructure, and gas-powered vehicles as the major key areas of investments.

He added that the delegation visited the National Center for Homologation, a regulatory agency for the automotive sector in Morocco, and two local firms.

Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, the NADDC boss noted that the agency has commenced initial discussion on areas of collaboration with E-move Vehicles Company, a firm involved in EV manufacturing, and Univers Acier Steel, a firm that produces parts used by auto companies.

He said the initiative seeks to promote local production capabilities, enhance technological expertise, and reduce reliance on imported vehicles, thereby contributing to economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Osanipin said, “We went for Nigeria-Morocco Business Week. After the forum that NADDC participated in with other businesses in Nigeria, we visited the E-move Vehicles Company. A company that manufactures Electric motorcycles, Electric Tricycles and Batteries. It is also a major player in Energy Storage Systems.

“The major attraction and reason for visiting is their expertise in battery manufacturing and manufacturing of economy EVs. We want them to produce in Nigeria.

“Manufacturing the same products in Nigeria will help in our quest for energy transition in mobility. It will create jobs, etc.

“We also visited Univers Acier Steel. They are steel manufacturing companies whose products are used by auto companies.”

“We have studied their regulations and identified products we can produce in Nigeria and export to Morocco. The visit gives us the opportunity to know what we need to do quickly and how we can go about them to achieve results.”

He added that these meetings, “were an eye opener and marked the beginning of collaboration and experience sharing on automotive development. We learned a lot and still have a lot to learn from them on regulations, inspections, testing, etc.

“We also visited six test centers for different industries and sectors. We toured Cetiev (Technology Partner for Automotive Industries), this is where all parts are tested before they are certified by Homologation. This is one major way Morocco rids her country of substandard parts.

“We also visited CTPC. This is the center where all plastics are tested. Vehicles, motorcycles, and tricycles use a lot of plastic and since our return, we have been working to ensure that this collaboration brings achievable results in the automotive sector, he stated.