Shuttlers, the Lagos-based mobility startup, has added an electric bus to its fleet, months after introducing 20 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles. The new EV was launched in partnership with SAGLEV Electromobility Limited, the first fully Electric Vehicle assembly plant in sub-Saharan Africa. It runs on the Ogba – Ikate route in Lagos and marks the startup’s shift from petrol-powered transport.
Is Shuttlers moving on from CNG already? Not exactly. The CNG rollout had already reduced rider cost by 29% and cut 23.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Yes, while cheaper and cleaner than petrol, CNG adoption comes with its safety concerns as cylinders are usually propped in the undercarriage of the buses. The EV launch shows that the shared mobility startup is serious about providing cleaner tech.
Nigeria’s EV market is still in its early days, but momentum is already building. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% from 2025 to 2031. Other local mobility startups are already playing in the EV territory. In April, Bolt launched electric tricycles in Lagos in partnership with SGX Mobility. Days before, Lagos-based EV manufacturer Foltï Technologies Limited launched eDryv, a ride-hailing service powered by 95% solar energy.
For commuters, this innovation boils down to cheaper and cleaner rides. Whether it is CNG or EVs, Shuttlers is willing to test multiple alternatives as Nigeria’s mobility landscape evolves.
