LAMATA test runs 2 electric buses, as Oando, Yutong target 12,000 more buses in next 7 yrs
Oredola Adeola
Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), an energy company based in Nigeria, and Yutong, a Chinese bus manufacturer, have revealed the plan to deploy 12,000 electric Yutong U12 model buses within the next seven years, after the successful review of the performance of the two electric buses already received by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
EnergyDay’s check showed that the first two vehicles have been delivered by Oando to the Lagos State Government, through LAMATA, with assurances that the other buses will be assembled locally once the pilot scheme shows positive signs.
According to a statement by Yutong Bus Co Limited, the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, the U12 model buses are installed with the necessary infrastructure including air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a ramp(wheelchair) for people with disabilities, to support their uses on Nigerian roads.
Further findings showed the U12 bus is 12m long, installed with three CCTV cameras, and has the capacity to carry 40 passengers, not ruling out spaces for standing.
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Oando on its part claimed that it will provide the charging stations and supporting infrastructure at the LBSL facilities for the first sets of buses with medium and long-term building Universal Chargers at public places statewide.
According to Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, in a statement obtained by EnergyDay revealed that the Electric BRT buses is an initiative that is still at the pilot stage.
According to him, a lot of data gathering will still be done in comparison with the existing BRT system.
He said, “The Electric buses will be added to the BRT fleet, they will carry passengers normally, use BRT Lane, Cowry card etc.
Gawat further hinted that the buses used in the pilot scheme will be operating from the normal facility where BRTs are maintained, adding that it will only require basic maintenance.
This maintenance according to him will be involved changing of tyre and other components. He also noted that the vehicle has no radiator or regular engines like the normal BRT bus.
Frank Lee, Managing Director, Yutong West Africa in a recent statement on the sideline of the delivery of the two buses said that the first delivery of electric mass transit buses in Sub-Saharan Africa and the first step in the large-scale deployment of an electric-powered public road transport system in Nigeria, is a defining moment for the company.
He said, “We are hoping to see a quick turnaround in our joint plans with Oando to advance all facets of the country’s transition to eco-friendly vehicles, including the development of local capacity through the delivery of, and exposure to extensive training programs for all stakeholders, from drivers to operators and the regulators.
“Our foray into Sub-Saharan Africa has transformed us into a global supplier of EVs with customers across the Middle East, Europe, South America and Asia.
Our electric vehicles offer outstanding performance due to their advanced technology capabilities and testing for different terrains; all of which make our buses particularly well suited for use as a public transportation option in Nigeria”.
