The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in partnership with Zuid Energies Limited, has announced plans to deploy electric vehicle (EV) taxis across major international airports in the country, as part of efforts to promote sustainable airport transportation.

The rollout will begin at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with plans to expand to other FAAN-managed airports nationwide.

Speaking to journalists during the unveiling ceremony at the Abuja airport, the Managing Director of Zuid Energies Limited, Ogochukwu Abiakam, said the company would initially deploy 20 EV taxis, noting that fleet expansion would be driven by passenger demand.

Abiakam explained that the service will operate through a digital booking system using a WhatsApp booking bot and dispatch platform. Passengers can request rides via WhatsApp, after which vehicles will be dispatched either from airport staging areas or city-based charging hubs.

On pricing, he said fares for regular EV taxis would be comparable to existing ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt, while executive EV taxis would be priced in line with current premium airport taxi services. According to him, the lower operating cost of EVs would help stabilise fares over time.

He disclosed that Zuid Energies plans to collaborate with existing airport taxi operators, describing the initiative as a transition model that allows traditional operators to participate in the EV ecosystem through partnerships, fleet conversion opportunities and driver integration programmes.

Features of the EV airport taxis include brand-new electric vehicles, professionally trained drivers, fully cashless payment systems, digital booking and tracking, a lost-and-found support system, centralised fleet monitoring, reduced noise levels, zero tailpipe emissions, and enhanced passenger comfort and safety standards.

On sustainability, Abiakam said the company is deploying dedicated EV charging stations in Abuja and Lagos, including charging infrastructure within airport premises. He added that preventive maintenance arrangements and certified EV technicians would support the operations.

“Electric vehicles represent the future of transportation globally, and Nigeria is well positioned to benefit from early adoption,” he said. “Our long-term plan includes expanding intercity EV transport corridors, developing more public charging infrastructure, introducing fleet financing programmes for partners, and integrating into the wider West African aviation mobility ecosystem.”