The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched the nation’s first fully electric airport-to-city shuttle bus service, aimed at promoting sustainable transport and reducing carbon emissions linked to airport access.
The initiative was unveiled on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and is being implemented in partnership with NEV Electric.
The service will deploy Nigerian-made NEV T6 electric buses to convey passengers between the airport and major city terminals, including hotels, business districts and key government offices.
Abuja will serve as the pilot location, with FAAN indicating that the project will be expanded to other international airports across the country.
FAAN said the shift from diesel-powered buses to electric alternatives is projected to reduce emissions by about 74 per cent, translating to an estimated annual saving of 1,327 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
The Authority described the development as a major contribution to Nigeria’s climate commitments and its own sustainability roadmap.
Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of FAAN Mrs, Olubunmi Kuku described improved airport connectivity as a critical part of the agency’s surface access strategy.
“Improving connectivity to the airport is a critical pillar of our surface access strategy. The introduction of the Nigerian-made NEV T6 electric bus fleet represents a major step in our efforts to make travel to and from our airports cleaner, quieter, and more efficient,” she said.
Possible Electric Mobility will operate the fleet, with shuttle services expected to run every 30 minutes during the pilot phase.
FAAN said routes, schedules and ticketing details will be made public after an operational test period.
Also speaking, Head of Fleet Operations for Possible EVS, Abimbola Gyer, said the service is designed to provide passengers with convenient, affordable and zero-emission transportation between the airport and the city centre.
“We have partnered with NEV Electric, the manufacturer of the electric buses, and then we’ll begin operations moving passengers from the airport to the city center, one stop, one location. And as demand continues, we will expand our hub,” Gyer said.
According to her, operations will run daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a fare of N10,000 per passenger. She added that the company will deploy 10 buses for the initial operations.
NEV Electric disclosed that it has produced over 800 electric vehicles locally, spanning micro-mobility units, pickups, minibuses and BRT buses, an achievement stakeholders say strengthens Nigeria’s growing reputation as an emerging hub for electric vehicle manufacturing.
The electric buses used for the shuttle are manufactured locally by NEV Electric Motors, which also collaborates with Possible Electric Mobility on financing and deployment models to support sustainable operations of electric mass transit services.
FAAN said the integrated production, financing and operational approach is expected to enable scale-up of electric bus solutions across airports and cities nationwide.
The launch event attracted top aviation and government stakeholders, including the Chairman of FAAN, the Managing Director, executive directors of the Authority, senior government officials, the CEO of NEV Electric, the leadership of Possible Electric Mobility, investors and other distinguished guests.
