Yemisi Izuora
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday, November 13, unveiled Nigeria’s first locally-assembled full electric car; aimed at reducing pressure on the use of petroleum.
Sanwo-Olu said at the unveiling in Lagos that the electric car was technology on display.
The Hyundai Kona car, manufactured by Stallion Group, is 100 per cent electric and also comes with zero-emission; 482km driving range, and can be charged both at home as well as workplace.
“The future that we see is the future of technology and this is the technology that we are talking about.
“This is 21st Century technology that has been brought into our country.
“With the innovation of Hyundai Kona, we do not need to put the pressure on what is the pump price of oil again; what is the pump price of petroleum again
“All the issues and fights that we are having about prices of petroleum going up; and the rest of it will be a thing of the past.
“This is a way to go, and it is the future that we are seeing now.
“This is the first electric car that we are seeing; and we as the government need to partner with them,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said there was a need to create an enabling environment for the company to do well; so that it could employ a lot more youths.
The governor also said that with the unveiling of the Hyundai Kona electric car; youths would be employed and also empowered for greater opportunities.
According to him, the state government will partner with Ibile Oil and Gas; and other private organisations to create different charging points in the city; so that people will have where to charge the cars.
“For us, we see a renowned hope, for us we see a tomorrow coming today; for us we see and likewise believe in the Stallion dream,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu commended Stallion Group for believing in the Lagos and Nigeria dream; and also revamping the moribund asset located along Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
In his address, the Managing Director, the Stallion Group, Rohtagi Manish, said that the innovation was a step towards an eco-friendly green Lagos.
Manish said that the material used to assemble Nigeria’s First 100 per cent electric zero-emission car was mostly sourced from local resources.
The vehicle, when fully charged for 9hrs 35mins, can go a distance of 482km (the equivalent of Lagos to Warri) before it requires charging again.