Lagos State’s government-backed e-taxi service, Lagride, has taken another step toward a cleaner transport future with the rollout of 100 electric vehicles (EVs), expanding its fleet in time for the busy Ember season.
The move signals a deepening commitment to sustainable urban mobility at a time when Nigerian cities are grappling with rising emissions, congestion and demand for affordable public transport.
At the Media Day held in Alausa, Ifeanyi Abraham, Lagride’s PR and Communications Lead, positioned the expansion as part of Lagos’ transition to global standards in e-mobility. “In hubs such as Dubai, government-supported e-taxis set the pace on safety, affordability and reliability. Lagos is now moving decisively in the same direction,” Abraham said.
Adeniyi Saliu, Executive Director at Lagride, tied the EV deployment directly to Lagos State’s broader economic and environmental vision. He pointed to shorter wait times, reduced emissions and improved reliability during peak travel. He also stressed that the programme is designed to generate thousands of jobs across vehicle operations, maintenance and driver ownership pathways.
Clean energy, stronger discipline
Lagride’s operating model places heavy emphasis on maintenance and data-driven performance. Vehicles undergo preventive servicing, diagnostics and use of quality parts, supported by continuous driver training. According to Saliu, this discipline will make the difference for Lagos commuters: “The impact will not only be in new vehicles on the roads, but in the culture that keeps them operating at a high standard every day.”
The new EVs, built for city use, can cover over 333 kilometres per charge and reach operating readiness within 30 minutes under rapid charging. With charging stations spreading across Lagos, the vehicles are expected to remain consistently available while offering drivers lower running costs and Lagos residents a quieter, emissions-free ride.
Driver empowerment at the core
Beyond vehicles, Lagride is introducing new financing models to lower barriers for drivers. Leasing offers with partner banks, alongside “Drive to Own” and “Drive to Earn” schemes, are designed to help drivers build equity while maintaining sustainable incomes. By combining economic empowerment with cleaner transport, the platform aims to create a virtuous cycle of improved livelihoods and improved service quality.
The Media Day attracted senior government and institutional figures, underscoring the state-level backing behind the initiative. Attendees included Gen. Chukwuemeka Udaya (rtd), Senior Special Adviser to the Chairman on Government Relations and Business Development, DIG Adeleke Adeyinka (rtd), Head of Compliance and Enforcement, and Engineer Gare.
For Lagos, the push to scale electric taxis represents more than just fleet expansion—it is a test case for how clean energy solutions can be embedded into Africa’s most populous city, marrying environmental gains with economic opportunity.
