By Moses Akaigwe
One of Nigeria’s foremost motor vehicle assemblers and marketers, Coscharis Motors, has added the Joylong Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to its vehicle brands portfolio.
The 2.7 litre engine bus comes in the form of hybrid conveniently switching from premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol to CNG with 15 litres petrol tank and 220 litres CNG capacity.
The automobile company said the rationale for this latest addition is to create viable ownership solutions for fleet and individual customers, both in the public and private sectors towards reducing budget for petrol and general vehicle maintenance within the warranty period and beyond.
The firm noted that the launch of the CNG buses also highlights 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.
Speaking at the unveiling of the CNG buses in Lagos on Tuesday, the General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group; Mr. Abiona Babarinde, noted, “For us in Coscharis, this is the opportune moment to invest in CNG given the expansion of more refueling CNG stations across Nigeria and the high cost of petrol 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; a quieter engine operation which reduces noise pollution and enhances smoother driving experience, he stated.
Beyond the introduction of CNG buses, Coscharis has also announced plans for local assembly of these vehicles. This strategic initiative aims to create jobs, boost local expertise, and ultimately, lower the cost of acquisition for prospective buyers. Local assembly will also provide greater flexibility in adapting the buses to specific Nigerian road conditions and operational requirements.
According to Babarinde, the long-term plan is to commence the assembly of these Joylong CNG buses at the existing Coscharis Assembly plant in Lagos as he recalled that the company’s first locally assembled vehicle in Nigeria about 10 years ago at its former Ikeja Assembly plant was the Joylong bus.
While Coscharis intends to hit the Nigerian market with other seating capacity buses, it currently has 19-seaters of the brand in the country.
The 2.7 litre engine bus, which has dual fueling capacity, can conveniently switch from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to CNG.
The bus also comes with a 15-litre petrol tank and 220 litres CNG capacity.
However, unlike the other converted vehicles, which have their CNG cylinders in the booths, the factory-built Joylong buses have their CNG cylinders beneath and are well-protected.
Also speaking at the unveiling, Mr. Anthony Efe, National Sales Manager, Joylong Brand, said that the CNG-powered bus comes with minimal cost maintenance – 50 per cent reduction cost in fueling when compared to PMS, low engine noise and reduced cost for servicing and other maintenance.
According to him, the bus would be available in all its regional offices in Nigeria.
He said: “Coscharis has its offices across the six geo-political zones; Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan. We are well-spread. This bus comes with a two-year warranty or 60,000km, depending on which comes first. With Coscharis, you are rest assured that we are going to serve the public and give them the best that this CNG bus has on off
“Also, with a press of the button, 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 400km or more. It’s less than N10,000 to refuel it to fuel capacity.”
Highlighting the importance and benefits of a CNG model for fleet and individual ownership, which he said were enormous, Efe stated further that the innumerable benefits of running a CNG fleet include cost effectiveness with the Joylong CNG buses offering an average cost savings of 30-50% compared to sole reliance on petrol; less engine wear and tear which helps to increase the engine’s lifespan due to cleaner fuel and less maintenance requirements due to fewer oil changes and filter replacements.
He said, though the Joylong CNG model is a first for Coscharis, the durability of the petrol Joylong buses have been tested and trusted over seven years as the current fleet of the Company’s Staff buses are entirely Joylong models. These current models are 18-seater capacity on a petrol engine.
The highlight of the launch was the test drives conducted by leading motoring journalists at the event.
Their verdict? Positive across the board. The journalists praised the quiet operation, smooth handling, and surprisingly powerful performance of the Joylong CNG buses.