By Femi Akinola
In Nigeria and the whole of Africa in particular, greenhouse emissions from transportation are growing at a rate of 7% each year. Air pollution is the second biggest killers across the continent as it is associated with heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Report has it that around 1.1 million people die prematurely in Africa from air pollution related illnesses.
To ensure environmental sustainability, the Ogun state government has launched a 2,000 electric motorcycles initiative to reduce transportation cost across the state and improve environmental sustainability. The landmark innovation, being embarked by Spiros, marks a pivotal movement in the electric mobility landscape in Nigeria.
The launch event took place on Wednesday, 31st July, 2024, at the Arcade Ground, Ogun State Governor’s Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. During the event, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun announced a $40 million Giga facility, which he informed will also create thousands of jobs and assemble various electric vehicles.
The governor announced that construction of the Giga Facility will take place at the Special Agro Processing Zone in Iperu Remo, adding that the $40 million investment will include an assembly plant for electric bikes, tricycles, buses, cars and swap stations.
The ceremony was attended by Governor Dapo Abiodun and his deputy, Noimot Salako – Oyedele, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, other government officials from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Ogun State, including captains of industry, key stakeholders and traditional rulers.
The initiative gannered strong support from the state government, the 20 local government areas in the state.
An elated Abiodun who welcomed the initiative with Spiros said, ”We are proud to collaborate on this sustainable venyure, setting a green standard for transportation in Nigeria.”
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Spiro’s effort aims to electrify Nigeria’s mobility, sustainably reduce carbon emission while promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians.
The company’s unique model is centered around battery swapping stations, fast and slow chargers, and home charging solution to ensure the delivery of energy when and where the bike’s users need it.
State of Charge (SoC) technology significantly enhances the Spiro riding experience, offering a seamless, efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport.
Spiro’s expansion is further supported by strategic partnerships that have accelerated the growth of the compaany’s charging network. This network expansion is pivotal in making Electric Vehicles/Bikes a viable option for more people, contributing to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development.
The Chief Executive Officer of Spiro, Kaushik Burman, said that the company has engaged in strategic partnerships with Max, Dot, and Onocon for a cleaner and healthier world, where riders have access to affordable and reliable trnsportation and cutting-edge technology.
”Our expansion marks new chaapter for Spiro and the broader EV ecosystem in Nigeria. We’ll deploy a significant number of bikes in our first year in Nigeria, enabling a lifestyle shift towards cleaner, more sustainable transportation options.
”Our goal is to electrify mobility across Africa, and Nigeria, as Africa’s economic powerhouse, represent an important stepon that journey,” Burman said.
Minister of Transporation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, praised Ogun State for leading in e-mobility. He noted that the state has joined other African nations in adopting e-bikes for transportation.
