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Electric vehicles are proving dependable for Nigerian city drivers, delivering predictable range and lower maintenance needs even as public charging infrastructure remains limited.

This is based on interviews conducted by Nairametrics with EV owners, assemblers and industry experts across Lagos and parts of the South-East.

Their experiences suggest that for structured urban commutes, electric mobility is becoming increasingly practical, though infrastructure and policy gaps still shape adoption.

For daily commutes and short trips within cities, drivers report that EVs perform consistently under Nigerian road, traffic and climate conditions. However, concerns around battery longevity, charging access and electricity reliability continue to influence purchasing decisions.

EV drivers who spoke to Nairametrics describe their experience as largely predictable, particularly for urban use, where daily travel distances are short, and routines are structured.

Faithful Edozie, who drives a Dayun MPV in Lagos, covers about 50km daily for work and client visits. He said range has not been a concern since he understands his driving pattern and monitors battery levels.

Mohammed Yunusa told Nairametrics that the reliability he has experienced since switching to electric vehicles two years ago influenced his decision to expand his garage. He now drives three EVs, the BYD Sealion, Denza and Xpeng, which he uses for daily commuting and weekend errands, averaging between 30km and 50km each day.

According to him, the transition has been more convenient than when he relied on a petrol-powered car. Based on his driving needs, he now goes longer between charging sessions than he previously did between fuel refills.

Dr. Kaycee Orji, who drives the fully electric Surge X SUV and the VOLTA-X, both assembled by Roxettes Motors, across cities including Aba, Umuahia and Enugu, said his typical daily commute ranges between 40km and 80km depending on meetings and site visits.

He noted that urban traffic conditions have not negatively affected the vehicles’ performance.

According to Orji, the simpler mechanical structure of electric vehicles compared to internal combustion engine cars reduces the likelihood of common engine-related faults associated with petrol vehicles.

While EVs have proven generally reliable, how owners charge their vehicles significantly shapes daily usage and battery longevity.

Edozie, who covers about 50km daily, relies entirely on a public charging station at Foltï Technologies in Victoria Island. He typically tops up once a week, paying about N500 per kWh, which can sum up to roughly N36,000 for a full cycle.

Yunusa relies mainly on an AC home charger installed with his vehicle.

Home charging takes 4–6 hours at 7kW, and he usually tops up once a week to keep his battery around 80% and preserve its life. On the rare occasions he uses commercial stations, a full charge costs roughly N36,000.

Orji noted that AC home charging between 7kW and 11kW usually takes 5–6 hours, while DC fast charging can bring a battery from 20% to 80% in 15–45 minutes. He also revealed that setting up his DC fast charging station at his residence cost about N11.4 million.

Most drivers top up once a week rather than fully deplete their batteries, helping extend battery health.

While drivers have found EVs generally reliable, experts note that proper maintenance and charging habits remain crucial to long-term performance.

Engr Matthew Olanrewaju, a UK-based EV Diagnostics Engineer who spoke to Nairametrics, highlighted common maintenance issues for electric vehicles. He works with Tritium Power Solutions, a company that designs and manufactures DC fast chargers for commercial and public networks, widely deployed across Europe, the UK, and other global markets.

According to him, EV batteries typically don’t require frequent maintenance, with most issues arising from poor design or low-quality cells. Parts such as brake pads, shock absorbers, connectors, and electronic components may need replacement due to normal wear and tear, but the battery’s life span is usually five to ten years if properly used.