Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The United States Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade, Marisa Lago, has said that Nigeria needs charging infrastructures in order to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
Lago, while speaking in Lagos Mon Tuesday at the EV hackathon that was organized by Microsoft’s innovation hub, known as ‘The Garage’, stated that the availability of charging stations is a fundamental aspect of creating an enabling environment for an EV industry to succeed.
According to her, the situation is a chicken-and-egg problem since companies are not likely to invest in charging infrastructure until there is a critical mass of EV drivers, adding however, that individuals would be reluctant to buy EVs until there is a reasonable recharging infrastructure.
In her own words, “the cost of EVs, which are still relatively high compared to conventional vehicles, remains another significant barrier and to attract both domestic and foreign players in the sector, it will be critical to have a supportive regulatory framework of consistent policies, standards and regulations that are aligned with international best practices that encourage investment and innovation.”
She also expressed that nurturing a skilled workforce is also vital for EV industry expansion, noting that with proper education and training, Nigerians can seize employment opportunities that will be generated by the growth of the sector, which will the. position the country as a regional hub for manufacturing, maintenance, and technology development.
