Why We Deployed First Electric-Powered Vehicles In Major Airport — Zuid Energies
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
Zuid Energies Limited, a new-energy mobility and infrastructure company, has explained that its decision to deploy electric powered taxi services in major Nigerian airports is aimed at improving transport efficiency, supporting zero-emission targets and reducing the long-term cost of airport mobility.
The Chief Executive Officer of Zuid Energies, Ogochukwu Abiakam, made the disclosure recently while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.
He revealed that the company is partnering with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to roll out electric vehicle (EV) ride-hailing and executive airport taxi services, alongside the development of EV charging infrastructure.
According to him, the initiative will begin with a pilot phase in Abuja and Lagos, after which it will be expanded to other airports managed by FAAN across the country.
“The pilot phase is starting with Abuja and Lagos, after which the model will be expanded to other FAAN airports nationwide. Our long-term plan is to operate across all FAAN-owned airports, with Abuja and Lagos serving as pilot locations,” Abiakam said.
He added that the number of vehicles to be deployed will increase in phases, depending on passenger demand, infrastructure readiness and operational performance.
Explaining how the service will operate, the Zuid Energies CEO said the company is adopting a digital first booking approach powered by a WhatsApp booking bot and dispatch platform, allowing passengers to request rides seamlessly.
“Passengers request rides via WhatsApp, and vehicles are dispatched either from airport staging areas or from city charging hubs. Operations are done in partnership with FAAN and aligned with airport transport regulations,” he stated.
Abiakam stressed that the company’s focus is to make airport transportation more accessible and affordable, noting that EVs can help stabilise pricing over time because they have lower operating costs compared to petrol-powered vehicles.
“Our goal is accessibility. EV technology helps stabilise pricing long term because operating costs are lower than fuel vehicles and we intend to work collaboratively with existing airport taxi operators,” he said.
He also revealed that Zuid Energies is developing a transition model that would enable current airport taxi operators to benefit from the EV shift through partnerships, fleet conversion opportunities and driver integration programmes.
On sustainability and operational support, the CEO said the company is building a full EV ecosystem, including dedicated charging stations in Abuja and Lagos, as well as planned charging infrastructure within airport environments.
He further disclosed that the company is working on preventive maintenance partnerships with certified EV technicians to ensure reliability and safety.
Abiakam said Zuid Energies plans to expand to more Nigerian airports, develop intercity EV transport corridors, and increase public charging infrastructure nationwide.
Other future plans, he noted, include fleet financing programmes for partners and possible expansion into the West African aviation mobility space.
“Electric Vehicles represent the future of transportation globally, and Nigeria is well positioned to benefit from early adoption,” he said.
Abiakam also highlighted the wider economic and national benefits of EV adoption, including reducing petrol and diesel consumption, lowering exposure to fuel price volatility, and easing pressure on foreign exchange spent on fuel imports.
He explained that EV growth could stimulate job creation through new industries such as charging infrastructure, maintenance services and vehicle assembly, while also encouraging local manufacturing, technology transfer and improved foreign exchange stability.
