Coscharis Unveils 19-Seater CNG Bus, Promises Minimal Maintenance Costs

By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
In its determination to excel at satisfying customers, Coscharis Motors has unveiled its first set of factory-built Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the Nigerian market.

The Group General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communication of Coscharis Group, Mr. Abiona Babarinde, while speaking on behalf of the company, stated that Coscharis Motors is proud to announce the addition of the Joylong Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to its vehicle brands portfolio.

The mini-bus, a Joylong brand can be configured into different specifications for use as school bus, shuttle, long-distance travel, an ambulance and any other use. The buses were test-driven by Nigerian auto journalists at Coscharis testing track in Awoyaya, Lekki, Lagos.

The automobile company also said that as part of its mid-term plans, the CNG buses would be assembled in its assembly plant in Lagos soon. The 2.7-litre engine bus, which has dual fueling capacity, can conveniently switch from petrol to CNG as it comes with a 15-litre petrol tank and 220-litre CNG capacity.

However, unlike the other converted vehicles, which have their CNG cylinders in the booths, the factory-built Joy Long buses have their CNG cylinders beneath and are well-protected.

While Coscharis intends to hit the Nigerian market with other seating capacity buses, it currently has 19 seats of the brand in the country.

Also speaking at the unveiling, the company’s National Sales Manager, Joy Long Brand, Mr. Anthony Efe, said that the CNG-powered bus comes with minimal cost maintenance, offering a 50 per cent reduction cost in fueling when compared to petrol. The vehicle also has low engine noise and reduced cost for servicing and other maintenance. According to him, the bus would be available in all Coscharis regional offices in Nigeria.

In his words, “Coscharis has its offices across the Nation’s six geo-political zones. We are in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Ibadan. We are well-spread. This bus comes with a two-year warranty or 60,000km, depending on which comes first. With Coscharis, you can rest assured that we are going to serve the public and give them the best that this CNG bus has to offer.

“Also, with a press of the bottom, you can move from fuel to CNG. It comes with a 15-litre fuel tank capacity. This fuel can be used to switch on the engine and you can, with the same press of a button, immediately convert it to CNG. The cylinders are beneath the buses. This is a 19-seater bus, but we have different models of the brand, which can still be brought in. The 220 litres can go as far as 400 kilometres or more. It will cost less than N10,000 to refuel it to full capacity.”

Babarinde, on his part, added that the flexible seat capacity could be reduced or increased, depending on the customer’s specification and preference. He noted that the rationale for this latest addition is to create viable ownership solutions for fleet and individual customers both in the Public and Private sectors respectively towards reducing the budget for petrol and general vehicle maintenance within the warranty period and beyond.

According to him, the vehicles also highlight the company’s commitment to its vision of remaining timeless in its relevance, especially given the Government’s new policy direction and the need to upscale the CNG sector with professionals and certified technology.
“For us in Coscharis, this is the opportune moment to invest in CNG given the expansion of more refuelling CNG stations across Nigeria and the high cost of petrol, which makes it a more viable option for Nigerians. Coming into the fray as an established brand in the automobile sector gives the CNG auto sector more credibility that will attract Nigerians who have been reluctant towards this idea so far.

“In addition, the need to align with global and local eco-friendly drive is an impetus with specific reference to the push by the Federal and Lagos State Governments. The Joylong CNG is a cleaner-burning fuel, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants compared to petrol. It has a quieter engine operation, which reduces noise pollution and enhances a smoother driving experience,” he said.

He mentioned schools, logistics companies, government, corporate organisations and religious bodies as part of the company’s target audience, adding that intending customers can approach one of the company’s subsidiaries, Coscharis Mobility for financing. He explained that the company can provide the finance scheme for this and all its other existing brands.

Babarinde also said that Coscharis Motors was partnering with its Chinese partners for the marketing of the Joy Long brands in Nigeria.