Renewables driving EVs targets

For Nigeria to adopt EVs, the challenge of power generation must be resolved. Countries are doing this with the infusion of significant renewables into their national grid. If the power adequacy is addressed in good time, just like the conventional petrol stations, charging stations will emerge in Nigeria where EVs can be recharged just as it is in the United States, China and Norway.

A 2016 IEA survey showed that electric cars still outnumber public charging stations by more than six to one. So more power infrastructure is needed globally for this and it is a poser for Nigeria too. Data sourced from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Fact Book for 2014 show that the ambitious drivers of the EVs project have a significant electricity capacity without suffering much when fuel-driven cars are phased off, except for the charging infrastructure.

Nigeria generates 24.8 billion kilowatt hours (kwh) annually; Nigeria is also planning to have another 1.2 gigawatts (Gw) of renewable energy which is about 1,200 megawatts (mw). The federal government said it is ensuring that 30 per cent of its energy is derived from renewables by 2030. However, countries like China had 30 per cent of electricity vehicles contributing to total sales of vehicles in 2016 and it has 5.3bn kwh of annual electricity generation with 28.2gw contribution from renewables.

The United States, being the second highest EV contributor of 28 per cent has 4bn kwh electricity and 18.3gw of it from renewable. Japan contributed eight per cent to global sales of EV last year. The country has 956 million kwh of power with 23.3gw from renewable energy.

Although the United Kingdom had four per cent of EV in the world in 2016, it generates 365m kwh annually with 5.2gw of it as renewables.