A 100 per cent solar-powered Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station has been launched by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
According to a statement released by the council on Friday, the project was a part of its EV development project as included in the new 2023 National Automotive Industry Development Plan.
UNN Vice-Chancellor Prof Charles Igwe called the initiative an outstanding accomplishment.
Igwe said:
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“I am delighted that UNN is among the Universities chosen to be part of the NADDC EV Pilot programme.
UNN will always support and be the first on EV development in Nigeria.”
He urged the university’s relevant authorities to adopt a more pragmatic and comprehensive approach.
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Igwe emphasized the importance of establishing solar energy farms in Nigeria as renewable energy sources to close the gap between energy output and productivity.
The station at UNN was one of the NADDC’s three EV trial programs, according to Jelani Aliyu, Director General of the NADDC.
Aliyu, who was represented by the director of the council’s Industrial Infrastructure Department, Nua Omisanya.
He explained that EV intended to further research efforts in the field of vehicle electrification through the development of human capital.
He said:
“In furtherance to the council’s bid to promote the research, design and adoption of EVs, NADDC had developed three 15KVA Solar-powered EV charging Stations at three Federal Institutions.
“The institutions are: University of Lagos, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.”
However, the Director-General encouraged the university to seize the opportunity to promote further research and development of electric vehicles in Nigeria.
He stated that UDUS and UNILAG charging stations have already been installed for the same purpose.
He said:
“With the emergence of new automotive technologies, the global automotive industry is in a race of technological advancement.
And the Nigerian Automotive Industry cannot be left out, but must be at the forefront of the race.
“In the same vein, I urge the general public to embrace Electric Vehicles as a greener and alternative means of transportation in Nigeria.”
The university team, led by the Vice Chancellor, then conducted a test drive of Hyundai’s Kona EV, which NADDC brought for the project.
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The event was also attended by other dignitaries, including Professors, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UNN, and Chairman NADDC-UNN Centre for Electric Vehicle Research and Development, Prof Ozoemena Ani.
Susan Bisong-Taiwo, Deputy Director, NADDC Zonal Offices. NADDC Southeast Zonal Coordinator, Edith Oreribe and other key stakeholders were also present.
