NADDC Commissions First Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station In Sokoto

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) commissioned Nigeria's First Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station yesterday the 8th of April, with approval from the Federal Government.

The station was set up in Sokoto as a collaboration between the council and one of the oldest and most reputable tertiary institutions in the country, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, under the Electric Vehicle Pilot Project.

This project heralds Nigeria's entry into the league of countries embracing innovation in the direction of renewable and sustainable energy sources.

Jelani Aliyu, The Director-General of the NADDC in his speech at the event, stated that the project is a testament to the government's commitment to adopting and promoting advanced technology for safer and cleaner transport solutions.

He added, "This Charging Station is an important component of our national Vehicle Electrification Program. We are collaborating with 3 universities. Usmanu Danfodio, Sokoto, University of Lagos and University of Nigeria, Nsukka...I urge the students to see this as an unparalleled opportunity to fully understand Vehicle Electrification and all related renewable energy technologies to develop better and better solutions for the betterment of Nigeria."

The collaboration with schools is an important move because it takes the project beyond a charging station to a station for research for students in these institutions. This can lead to even better and more effective innovations for the country.

Several professionals from car company Hyundai, Usman Danfodio University, and the NADDC will come together from a monitoring and evaluation committee.

The solar-powered charging station consists of solar days which have a capacity of over 86kilowatts per hour, and are linked to three Hybrid inverters with a capacity of 5KVA. Energy storage of the system consists of 36 deep-cycle gel batteries capable of generating 48 volts/1980 amperes.

The NADDC is collaborating with the Federal Government to cut down dependence on fossil fuels and reduce environmental pollution by replacing internal combustion engine-powered cars with electric vehicles.

In the words of the Director, Jelani Aliyu, "100% renewable energy, 100% clean energy to power 100% Electric Vehicles. Absolutely zero emissions, zero waste: from energy generation to energy utilization."