By Moses Akaigwe
Spiro, Africa’s largest electric vehicle (EV) player, has officially launched its operations in Ogun State with a presentation of motorbikes.
The launch ceremony on July 31, 2024, at the Arcade Ground, Ogun State Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, was attended by Gov. Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, and Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Deputy Governor.
Also present were Sen. Said Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, other government officials, traditional rulers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders.
Gov. Abiodun, who earned applause from the guests when he rode one of the motorcycles at the venue, highlighted the multiple benefits of the Spiro electric two-wheelers.
He said: “Spiro’s electric bikes promise a future of reduced environmental impact, economic savings, and improved community health. We’re proud to collaborate on this sustainable venture, setting a green standard for transportation in Nigeria.”
The landmark expansion to Ogun State marks a pivotal moment in the electric mobility landscape of Nigeria’s largest economy.
At the event, guests were informed that with more than 17,000 electric motorbikes already deployed across sub–Saharan Africa, Spiro’s strategic expansion into Nigeria would see its presence in up to eight of Nigeria’s major provinces, including Abeokuta, Ibadan, Lagos, and Abuja.
The Spiro’s expansion is further supported by strategic partnerships that have accelerated the growth of company’s charging network. This network expansion is pivotal in making EVs a viable option for more people, contributing to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development.
In Nigeria, Spiro has already announced strategic partnerships with Max, Dot, and Onocon, who share the company’s vision for a cleaner and healthier world, where riders have access to affordable and reliable transportation and cutting-edge technology.
In his remarks, Kaushik Burman, the CEO of Spiro, stated: “Our expansion marks a new chapter for Spiro and the broader EV ecosystem in Nigeria. We’ll deploy a significant number of bikes in our first year in Nigeria, enabling a lifestyle shift towards cleaner, more sustainable transportation options.
“Our goal is to electrify mobility across Africa, and Nigeria, as Africa’s economic powerhouse, represents an important step on that journey.”
This dedicated effort aims to electrify the nation’s mobility, substantially reducing carbon emissions while promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians.
In Africa, greenhouse gas emissions from transportation are growing at a rate of 7 percent each year. Air pollution is the second biggest killer across the continent, associated with heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Around 1.1 million people die prematurely from air pollution in Africa each year.
Spiro’s unique model is centered on battery swapping, allowing riders to use its swapping stations, fast and slow chargers, and home charging solutions – a flexible solution to ensure the delivery of energy when and where our customers need it. State of Charge (SoC) technology significantly enhances the Spiro riding experience, offering a seamless, efficient, and environmentally friendly mode of transport.
Spiro’s foray into Nigeria is underpinned by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the enhancement of the African smart energy ecosystem, while its automated swap stations embody Spiro’s dedication to offering efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.
The innovative battery swapping model stands at the core of its mission to redefine sustainable mobility across Africa. This groundbreaking system allows electric vehicle (EV) users to replace their depleted batteries with fully charged ones in mere seconds, eliminating the lengthy wait times associated with traditional charging methods.
The brand has already established a significant presence in key African markets, actively transforming the transportation landscape in Togo, Benin, Kenya, and Rwanda Ghana and Uganda with its eco-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) and pioneering battery swapping technology.