The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) has commenced plans for the nationwide rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

The development marks a new phase in Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and more affordable transportation after recording significant expansion in its first year of operations under its current leadership.

The initiative said the next phase of its programme would focus on expanding refuelling and charging infrastructure across the country, deploying more mass transit buses and tricycles, scaling up vehicle conversion financing, and attracting greater private sector investment into Nigeria’s alternative transport energy ecosystem.

The Executive Chairman of Pi-CNG & EV, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed this in a statement on Monday as he reflected on his first year in office, highlighting what he described as key milestones achieved since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to him, the initiative has laid the foundation for a nationwide clean transport system through large-scale vehicle conversions, expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure, and the introduction of electric vehicles into the country’s public transport network.

Ahmed said tens of thousands of vehicles had been converted to run on CNG within the last year, while the agency launched its 100,000 Conversion Kit Programme and the “Convert Now, Pay Small Small” financing scheme to make vehicle conversion more affordable for Nigerians.

He noted that the initiative’s mandate was expanded by President Tinubu to include electric vehicles, leading to the launch of the Northern Corridor of CNG & EV, where 40 CNG buses, seven electric buses and more than 200 CNG-powered tricycles were deployed in Kano.

He added that Pi-CNG & EV had also facilitated the commissioning of CNG and Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) stations in Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Kaduna and Owerri, creating the foundation for the nationwide deployment of EV charging stations.

“Over the next 12 months, our focus will be on deepening access to CNG and EV infrastructure while strengthening local assembly and manufacturing.

“We will expand refuelling and EV charging networks across the country, deploy additional mass transit buses and tricycles, scale up our vehicle conversion financing programme to reach more Nigerians, and attract greater private sector investment into the alternative energy sector.

“Ultimately, our goal is to reduce the economic burden of transportation on Nigerian families and businesses

He expressef appreciation to President Tinubu and the initiative’s private sector partners for their support.

He said the agency would continue to build a transport energy ecosystem capable of reducing transportation costs, lowering the economic burden on households and businesses, and delivering lasting value to Nigerians.