Electric vehicles in Nigeria set for growth, says Tim Motors CEO

The Chief Executive Officer of Tim Motors, Mr Leon Zhan, has expressed optimism about the future of new energy vehicles in Nigeria, saying their acquisition and use will increase significantly in the coming years in line with global trends.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Friday, Zhan identified high acquisition costs and inadequate infrastructure as major challenges facing prospective buyers of electric and other new energy vehicles in the country.

Despite these constraints, he said ongoing improvements in the economy and rising purchasing power among Nigerians would help address the obstacles and accelerate the adoption of cleaner transportation technologies.

According to him, Nigeria’s relatively low electric vehicle penetration presents a significant opportunity for investors seeking to tap into the growing market for sustainable mobility solutions.

Zhan noted that increasing concerns over rising fuel prices could further drive interest in electric vehicles, making the sector an attractive area for future investment and expansion.

He expressed confidence that as awareness grows and supporting infrastructure improves, Nigeria will witness increased demand for new energy vehicles across various segments of the transportation industry.

“If you are deciding on an investment, you have to see the trend and space to grow. This is very important. Currently, electric vehicles have just about one or two per cent penetration in this market. In other markets like China, the penetration is about 70 per cent. So, if you look at the trend, you see the potential for growth in Nigeria,” he stated.

The CEO added that Chinese car companies are investing in Nigeria due to the size of the market, and they will be increasingly affordable.

He said: “Your country, Nigeria, is growing. So your purchasing power is also growing, and so, I’m sure years later, more and more people can afford Chinese cars with better and better prices.”

Tim Motors, he stated, would establish stations in several cities across the country to provide after-sales support for electric vehicles. This follows its recent introduction of Geely Galaxy new energy vehicles into Nigeria, under a sole distributorship arrangement with Geely Auto, one of China’s major forces in the country’s transition to new-energy mobility.

He also revealed that the company has put infrastructure in place in Abeokuta to facilitate local vehicle assembly in the country.

According to him, the decision by the company to introduce electric vehicles has been properly thought through, and it includes providing robust after-sales support to customers across the country.

He added that the company was aware of customers’ concerns about after-sales support, local availability of parts and access to power to charge their vehicles.

These issues, he explained, informed its decision to establish a special partnership arrangement to address customer issues and provide support centres across major cities in Nigeria.

“Many people ask how long and how far it is for them to get support if their EV cars have issues. This is why we have designed a system whereby we work with partners who will handle such. We have 10 already. We will have some in major cities like Abuja, Kano and Port-Harcourt in the coming months,” he said.

Zhan further revealed that Tim Motors has a plan whereby people who purchase their vehicles can easily get support within a five-kilometre radius of their residence or offices.

He added that the company has a professional team in China that is dedicated to sourcing and delivering parts for their vehicles in Nigeria.

He further revealed that more Geely Galaxy brands would be introduced in the coming months, stating that the EX2, EX5 and EX5 EM-I were just the first brands being brought into the market.

He added that the technology of Chinese electric vehicles was better than that of many other major auto manufacturers, and yet they are 20 to 30 per cent more affordable.

It will be recalled that Tim Motors recently introduced three Geely Galaxy models, the EX5 EM-i, the EX5, and the EX2, designed to meet diverse customer needs across the Nigerian market.

The EX5 EM- i is a smart family SUV that combines petrol and electric power for an extended driving range of more than 1000km, reduced fuel consumption, and lower emissions. For Nigerian families who want to spend less time at the fuel station and more time on the road, the EX5 EM-i delivers.

The EX5 is a value-focused mid-size SUV with a premium, tech-forward interior and over 430 km of driving range.

The EX2 is an all-electric subcompact hatchback built for the realities of city life. Affordable, intuitive to drive, and remarkably efficient, it is the answer for commuters tired of fuel queues and rising running costs.

Geely, which owns globally recognised brands including Volvo Cars, Polestar, and Lotus, has built a strong reputation for innovation, quality, and intelligent vehicle technologies across both New Energy Vehicle (NEV) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) markets. It ranks seventh globally by annual vehicle sales, with over 3.4 million units sold, placing it among the world’s most successful automotive manufacturers. Its footprint continues to grow across international markets.