The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) has reported reductions in transportation costs across several Nigerian states as the deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles expands in public transportation.

The Executive Chairman of Pi-CNG & EV, Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement issued by the initiative’s Head of Brand and Communications, Onyekachi Eke.

Ahmed attributed the reductions to the deployment of CNG and electric vehicles by federal and state governments, alongside investments in refuelling and charging infrastructure.

He said the programme forms part of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, which is designed to pass the lower operating costs of alternative energy on to commuters through more affordable transport fares.

President Bola Tinubu had set October 1 as a target for Nigerians to begin experiencing measurable reductions in transportation costs as governments and transport operators increased the adoption of CNG and electric mobility.

“Across the country, different models are already emerging. Some states are deploying CNG buses, using electric buses, taxis and tricycles, while governments are investing in refuelling and charging infrastructure,” Ahmed said.

Borno State has deployed 500 electric tricycles, 20 electric buses and 150 electric saloon cars and taxis, supported by eight standalone solar-powered charging terminals, Ahmed said.

The state is providing subsidised transportation, with fares set at ₦50 for buses, ₦100 for taxis and ₦200 for tricycles.

Borno is also developing its CNG infrastructure, with three stations in Maiduguri. One is operational while two are nearing completion, alongside vehicle conversion facilities.

In Abia State, 40 electric buses are providing public transportation at fares subsidised by 50 per cent. Zamfara State is also introducing 100 electric taxis, with fares expected to be 40 per cent lower.

The initiative further highlighted savings from CNG-powered buses in Enugu State, where 100 buses operated by FEMADEC on behalf of the state government serve major commercial and residential routes.

Ahmed said the Enugu–Nsukka route, which previously cost commuters between ₦3,000 and ₦4,000, was initially reduced to ₦2,200 and now costs ₦1,600 on the CNG-supported service.

Commuters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are also benefiting from lower fares on several routes. The Kubwa–Berger and Apo–Nyanya/Mararaba routes cost ₦500 on CNG buses, compared with ₦1,000 on diesel buses.

Other reported fares include ₦600 for Masaka–Berger, compared with ₦1,000, and ₦700 for Berger–Gwagwalada, compared with ₦1,200.

Ahmed said 26 additional buses were expected to be deployed in the FCT.

In Lagos, fares have also fallen on several routes. Ikorodu–Fadeyi declined from ₦1,200 to ₦680, Ikorodu–Maryland from ₦1,000 to ₦570, while Ikeja–Obalende dropped from ₦1,400 to ₦720.

Ahmed said proposed fare reductions in Uyo, Edo, Delta and Jigawa states were also expected to reduce transportation costs.

In Akwa Ibom State, proposed fares include ₦650 for Uyo–Ikot Ekpene, down from ₦1,300; ₦1,250 for Uyo–Eket, from ₦2,500; and ₦1,500 for Uyo–Oron, from ₦3,000.

In Edo State, the proposed fare for Benin–Auchi is ₦4,000, compared with the current ₦8,000, while Kingsquare–Ugbowo–Oluku is expected to fall from ₦600 to ₦300.

The initiative also identified proposed reductions on routes in Delta, Jigawa, Ogun and Oyo states.

In Delta, the Warri–Asaba CNG service is proposed at ₦4,900, down from ₦7,000, while Dutse–Kano in Jigawa is expected to cost ₦2,000, compared with ₦3,500.

Delta State has also developed 22 electric vehicle charging stations to support the expansion of electric mobility.

In Kaduna State, 100 CNG buses are providing free transportation on major routes. Ahmed said the buses had transported approximately 3.2 million passengers, generating estimated commuter savings of more than ₦3.5 billion.

Niger State is similarly expanding its alternative-energy transport programme. CNG-supported services between Suleja and Abuja are providing cheaper travel for commuters while the state develops additional CNG and electric mobility infrastructure.

In Ebonyi State, the government has acquired luxury buses to cushion transportation costs for civil servants. Ahmed said Pi-CNG & EV was working with the state to explore opportunities for CNG and electric vehicle deployment and the development of supporting infrastructure.

Ahmed said Pi-CNG & EV was deploying another batch of buses to provide reduced fares on designated routes.

The current deployment comprises 61 buses earmarked for commercial operations, including 13 each for the FCT, Kano and Lagos; five each for Delta, Kaduna and Katsina; three for Enugu; and two each for Borno and Niger.

He added that vehicle conversion activities were increasing in emerging markets such as Kano and the South-East, alongside established CNG markets, while additional refuelling stations were becoming operational.

According to him, Pi-CNG & EV is working with industry partners to achieve approximately 150 operational CNG refuelling stations before the end of 2026.

Ahmed said the October 1 target should be viewed as part of an expanding programme rather than the conclusion of efforts to reduce transportation costs.

“Pi-CNG & EV will continue working with relevant stakeholders to expand CNG refuelling and EV charging infrastructure to ensure that savings from cheaper energy are reflected in transport fares,” he said.

Source: MSME Africa Online