Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company (IVM), Nigeria’s foremost indigenous automaker, has officially unveiled its first locally produced electric vehicle (EV) at its Nnewi, Anambra State facility. The announcement was made by the company’s Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Cornel Osigwe, who shared his excitement about the milestone.
“I just test drove the first Innoson electric vehicle produced in Nnewi. We are just starting,” Osigwe revealed in a Facebook post, marking a major achievement for the company.
This unveiling comes ten months after Osigwe initially discussed the company’s plans for an EV factory aimed at boosting locally made cars. At the time, Osigwe noted that Innoson’s Chairman, Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, had finalised plans to establish the manufacturing plant. However, details regarding the new EV’s pricing, specifications, production scale, and commercial release timeline remain undisclosed.
Although this marks Innoson’s first foray into electric vehicle production, it enters a market where Nigerian EV manufacturers such as MAX, Jet Motor Company, and Possible EVs have already gained traction. The Nigerian government has also set ambitious goals, aiming to make 30% of all vehicles electric by 2025.
Innoson’s entry into the electric vehicle market comes at a time when Nigerians are feeling the pinch of rising fuel prices, making EVs a more attractive option for consumers and businesses alike. With companies like Spiro and e-hailing platform Bolt already adapting to these challenges, the company’s EV could signal a turning point for Nigeria’s automotive industry.
