Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has explained that his administration chose Electric Vehicles (EVs) over Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses because EVs represent an upgrade in transportation technology.
Otti specifically said that the government opted for electric buses because they represent the public transportation system of the reason.
He said this during the October edition of his monthly media briefing, held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia.
He, however, said that despite the preference for EVs, the Abia State Government still encouraged establishing additional CNG stations across the State.
“We are not opposed to CNG, but we chose electric vehicles for our public transportation system,” the governor said.
He said both petrol and CNG vehicles operate on internal combustion engines, while EVs require a different propulsion system.
He added that some companies have expressed interest in establishing additional CNG stations in the State, adding that agreements have been reached with them.
He explained that the proposed stations would cater for privately owned vehicles and other consumers, rather than the state’s public transportation system.
Otti said that CNG is cheaper to use than petrol and expressed optimism that converting petrol and diesel vehicles to CNG would gain more traction in the country.
He also said that Nigerian companies specialise in converting internal combustion engine vehicles to CNG.