JET Motor Company, a Nigerian automobile company is set to manufacture Africa’s first Electric Vehicles (EVs). It raised $9 million research fund from Canadian-based Africa Development Capital (ADC), Great man Legend and other Asian investors.
JET Motor was founded in 2017 with a vision to produce world-class vehicles for African roads. It believes in leading Africa into the future of mobility by pioneering zero-emission electric vehicles in the continent.
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In 2019, it launched JET Mover, luxurious and customizable minibuses that are majorly used for tours, interstate travels, and military activities. JET Mover is a 13-seater minibus that has an installed personalized entertainment system per passenger. It is used by several governments and intercity bus transport companies like GIGM and Delta Line for interstate travel.
JET Motor raised the $9 million fund for research and development. It plans to begin an all-electric minibus project soon. The vehicles, dubbed JET EV, will begin test-running on Nigerian roads before the end of 2020. The prototypes can travel as far as 300km on a single charge.
However, the company’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Rupani Sanjay emphasized the need for the government’s support. He requested that the government reviews its automotive policy to accommodate innovation in the mobility sector.
He also revealed that they will be supplying over 50 electric JET EV buses to GIG Logistics, over the next two years. Testing will commence in the third quarter of 2020, using GIG Logistics pickup centres as charging points.
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