Tricycle drivers in 3 states spend N2.5m on fuel each year

Tricycle drivers in Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa states spend an average of N2.5 million to N3 million every year on fuel. This is according to a study about electric transport in Northern Nigeria's informal transport sector.

The study results were shared at a meeting in Abuja on Thursday. Experts, regulators, and people in the transport sector discussed the chances and challenges of using electric tricycles.

Mukhtar Abdulhameed, the CEO of Carbon Assets, presented the report. He said that drivers spend between N211,000 and N250,000 each month on fuel. This means their annual fuel costs range from N2.5 million to N3 million for each tricycle.

He mentioned that the study looked at various factors in Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa states. These included the types of vehicles, how much operators earn, fuel usage, infrastructure needs, and how people view electric transport.

Abdulhameed noted that around 165,000 tricycles are active in the three states. They consume a lot of fuel and contribute to emissions.

In Kano, drivers spend about N9,000 daily on fuel. In Kaduna and Jigawa, drivers spend over N8,000 each day.

The study also showed that many drivers are interested in electric vehicles. Between 94 and 98 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to switch to electric tricycles.

However, some concerns were raised by drivers. They worried about battery life, charging stations, cost, and how to get financing.

At the event, Abosede Paul-Obameso, who works with the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement, spoke about how rising fuel costs hurt transport workers.

She shared that drivers using electric tricycles could make up to N15,000 daily. In contrast, those using petrol-powered tricycles earn about N8,000 daily.

"If you look at some of the numbers discussed today, the difference is clear. Someone using electric tricycles could take home as much as N15,000 compared to N8,000 for those using fossil fuels," she said.

Paul-Obameso added that drivers who use battery swapping systems spend about N4,000 a day. This is much lower than the N15,000 spent on fuel by some petrol tricycle drivers.

She pointed out that changes in global fuel prices are putting extra pressure on transport workers. This makes the case for using alternative energy sources stronger.

Earlier, Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, said moving to electric transport needs clear rules, teamwork, and easy access to funding.

"We must move from one-off pilot projects to a proper, secure system that builds confidence in local and international markets to grow," he said.

Umar Saleh Anka, who is the Director of Climate Change at the Kano State Ministry of Water Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, also spoke. He believes this change could create jobs and help reduce emissions from transport.

"When you change these tricycles to a more sustainable and eco-friendly option, you create more chances for young people to get involved in green businesses," he said.