One of Saglev’s luxury electric vehicles in Lagos.
Photographer: Andrew Esiebo/Bloomberg
Chinese EVs Make Inroads in Nigeria as Gasoline Prices Rise
Electric cars are becoming cheaper to run than gas guzzlers. There’s just one hiccup: The African country is already struggling with erratic power supply.
On an untarred road in Nigeria’s upmarket neighborhood of Victoria Island in Lagos, a fairly modest looking car dealership has been drawing attention.
The showroom floor of Saglev, an independent electric vehicle dealer in Nigeria’s largest city, showcases several car models with unfamiliar names for most Nigerians: Voyah, Nammi and Mhero — all made by Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Three Saglev-branded luxury EV sedans parked in front of the showroom turn a few drivers’ heads as they pass by in gasoline-fueled cars.