Ben Murray-Bruce, former Senator and founder of the Silverbird Group, has pushed Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing to concentrate on producing electric vehicles, stating that Nigeria will be well-positioned to gain from the global movement toward cleaner transportation.
Murray-Bruce made the call in a social media post on Tuesday, commending the Innoson founder, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, for founding Nigeria’s indigenous vehicle industry.
In a direct letter to Chukwuma, Murray-Bruce wrote: “My good friend Chief Innocent Chukwuma, you did what no one else had the guts to do. You created an automobile industry in Nnewi and brought Made-in-Nigeria cars to our roads. I still drive Innoson with pride”.
He pointed out Innoson’s development with the EX02 electric model and the new Nnewi facility, adding: “My brother, my appeal: make electric your main line, not your sideline.
The former legislator stated that economic realities support electric vehicles, adding that fuel presently costs above N1,300 per litre while Nigeria is blessed with sunlight all year round.
He said electric automobiles have fewer moving parts and are far cheaper to maintain, saving households money every month, and helping Nigeria save foreign exchange now spent on fuel imports.
He further pointed out lithium reserves in Nigeria, especially in Nasarawa State, as a significant advantage for creating local value chain for electric vehicles.
He cited global trends, saying that one in four new cars sold globally last year was electric, compared to more than half in China and Ethiopia not importing petrol cars at all. “The world has changed. “Let Innoson be the reason Nigeria catches up,” he urged.
Innoson is already on its electric adventure, with models like the EX01, EX02 and IVM Link, and has also entered the compressed natural gas car production.
The corporation is building a multibillion-naira plant in Nnewi to produce CNG, LNG and electric vehicles, which is projected to create thousands of jobs.
Murray-Bruce’s call has ignited fresh discussions on Nigeria’s readiness for electric mobility and the role local manufacturers may play in establishing a cleaner transport system.
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