After the subsidy on petrol was removed in 2023, the price of petrol went up by 200%. And then I wrote about the possibility of using EVs as an alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.
The consensus was that EVs are a great alternative, but there's a lot that stands in the way of an average Nigerian owning and using an electric car.
To be fair, Nigerian EV manufacturer, Siltech, has a three-wheeler called the Falcon that is within the reach of some Nigerians when price and daily usage are considered. However, it is not the same experience with your petrol-powered Toyota Camry, for instance.
Interestingly, there's one alternative that was not considered — compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.
Here's everything you need to know about CNG if the concept is new to you.
What is a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle?
A CNG-powered vehicle has a combustion engine that runs on compressed natural gas. It's not so different from petrol or diesel vehicles as they're all internal combustion engines, only that they run on different fuels.
However, CNG has some advantages over petrol and diesel because it burns cleaner and lasts longer than petrol.
Is CNG better than petrol?
When CNG burns in the engine, it produces fewer harmful emissions because it's made mostly of methane, which has fewer carbon atoms than petrol. This means it releases less carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air.
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Also, CNG engines are typically more efficient. They convert more fuel into usable energy, which means you get more mileage from the same quantity compared to a petrol engine.
If the price of petrol has got you thinking about EVs and CNG vehicles as an alternative, then this article might help you choose.
To provide expert insights on these alternatives, we spoke with Derek Ewelukwa, the CEO of Jet Motors, an electric car company that is also venturing into the production of CNG vehicles.
We will compare CNG, petrol, and EV vehicles, using their affordability, maintenance costs, availability of infrastructure like charging stations, and overall usability in Nigeria.
Affordability
Typically, EVs are the most expensive of the bunch, but Ewelukwa says their prices are starting to come down as the space experiences more tech advancement.
Affordability for EV
A Tesla Model 3 Standard Range — the company's least expensive model — goes for $35,000 (₦54 million). According to InsideEVs, the only electric vehicles you can get below $20,000 (₦31 million) are used.
Affordability for CNG
A CNG vehicle is not significantly more expensive than a petrol car. This is because most CNG vehicles are converted from petrol cars for ₦1.5 million ($967). Although this can differ based on engine size.
This means that if you buy a 2006 Toyota Corolla for ₦5.1 million ($3,290) — using Autochek figures — it will cost you a total of ₦6.6 million to convert it to a CNG vehicle.
Ewelukwa believes this price might come down when more people with the skills can retrofit a car to run on CNG.
Affordability for petrol
A petrol car made in the same year (2019-2020) as the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range such as the 2020 Toyota Camry, will set you back $25,240 (₦38.5 million).
Maintenance cost
The maintenance costs for electric vehicles (EVs), CNG cars, and petrol cars are markedly different due to the differences in their engine designs and fuel systems.
This makes the EV significantly cheaper when it comes to maintenance cost, followed by CNG, and then petrol.
Here's a breakdown of how much you'll incur based on the car you choose.
Maintenance costs for EV
The maintenance cost for EVs is significantly lower compared to CNG and petrol cars. Ewelukwa who uses a 2021 Tesla Model Y says the only thing he changes often is the windshield washer fluid.
He also does not have to change brake pads because some EVs can slow down the car without necessarily using the brakes. They have something called regenerative braking, which means when you lay off the accelerator, the car slows down automatically by reversing the rotation of the electric motors.
The Tesla saves Ewelukwa $2,000 every year, unlike a petrol car.
However, it is important to note that he uses the EV in the US, which raises the question of the availability of infrastructure, which we will discuss.
Maintenance cost for CNG cars
While CNG cars are cleaner than petrol cars, they still require regular maintenance like oil changes, spark plug replacements, and air filter changes.
However, CNG engines often experience less wear and tear compared to petrol cars mainly because of how the fuel burns and impacts the engine.
When petrol burns, it can leave residue and carbon deposits inside the engine. These deposits build up over time, causing the engine parts to wear out faster and require more frequent maintenance.
Maintenance cost for petrol cars
Petrol engines usually have more carbon deposits than CNG. When these deposits build up, they increase friction and stress on the engine components, making them less efficient and more prone to damage.
As a result, petrol engines often require more frequent maintenance, like regular oil changes, spark plug replacements, and other services to keep them running smoothly.
When Ewelukwa used to have a petrol vehicle, he once spent $950 on an oil change and $2,000 on a brake change.
In simple terms, using petrol is like feeding your engine fuel that leaves behind a lot of dirt and grime, which means more upkeep and repairs to keep everything running properly.
Availability of infrastructure
The availability of infrastructure, such as EV charging stations, CNG stations, and petrol stations is a crucial factor when deciding which type of car to buy.
Obviously, petrol stations are widespread and easily accessible across the country, making it convenient to refuel petrol cars almost anywhere.
In contrast, finding EV charging stations and CNG refuelling stations can be challenging, as they are uncommon. This can make it harder to keep your EV or CNG car powered up.
But Ewelukwa feels he can use an EV conveniently in Nigeria where he currently lives. While he was in the US, he drove "coast-to-coast from Canada to the US," with his EV.
Although he has no plans to replicate his feat, he has studied the driving patterns of Abuja residents and believes EVs can work in the country’s capital city.
"The roads are free, and you hardly get into traffic. The power supply is somewhat stable, so all you need is a home charger."
While a home charger could make using an EV easier, Ewelukwa admits that a CNG vehicle is a low-hanging fruit for car users and even for the government when it comes to building infrastructure for an alternative to petrol.
Ewelukwa plans to use an EV here in Nigeria, and when he eventually gets one, maybe we'll get a more practical take on what it entails.
