Lagos Goes Electric: LagRide Rolls Out 100 EVs in Ride-Hailing Push

Lagos has never been short of traffic or innovation, and the ride-hailing industry is no exception. This week, LagRide, the Lagos State-backed e-hailing platform, announced the deployment of 100 electric vehicles (EVs) into its fleet. The move marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s transport sector, where petrol and diesel vehicles dominate, and it signals LagRide’s ambition to capture 70% of the city’s ride-hailing market.

The rollout is part of a broader plan to scale the fleet to 5,000 cars in three years, with over 3,000 of them electric. The EVs introduced have a range of about 333 kilometers per charge, offering enough coverage for multiple trips in Lagos’ bustling corridors before needing a recharge.

The Push for Cleaner, Smarter Mobility

For Lagos State, LagRide is more than a commercial venture. It is tied to the city’s long-term mobility and climate goals: reducing reliance on petrol, cutting carbon emissions, and building an ecosystem around electric mobility. By pushing EV adoption through a state-backed platform, Lagos hopes to set a precedent for private operators and attract investment into charging infrastructure and EV maintenance hubs.

LagRide has also partnered with CIG Motors to supply and maintain vehicles, ensuring the rollout does not stall due to technical or logistical gaps. Charging infrastructure, a critical bottleneck in Nigeria’s EV conversation, is also on the agenda. Plans for fast-charging points and optimized scheduling are being developed to reduce downtime and keep cars on the road.

Targeting 70% Market Share

LagRide’s 70% market-share target is bold, given the presence of established rivals like Bolt, Uber, and InDrive. Each already has strong user bases, established driver communities, and brand recognition. To displace them, LagRide will need to combine scale, reliability, and affordability.

Government backing gives LagRide an advantage. Incentives such as better regulation, integration with transport policies, and potential subsidies on vehicles or charging could tilt the market in its favor. If executed well, the platform could become the default option for millions of Lagosians seeking affordable, cleaner rides.

The Hurdles Ahead

Despite its promise, LagRide faces serious challenges:

• Infrastructure limits: Lagos’ electricity grid is notoriously unstable. Without reliable charging infrastructure, EV downtime could undercut the entire project.

• Driver dissatisfaction: Some LagRide drivers have already complained about app glitches, high daily fees, and limited trip requests in certain areas. If driver frustrations continue, adoption will stall.

• Competition: International rivals still dominate rider loyalty. Winning over both drivers and passengers will require clear advantages in pricing, availability, and quality of service.

• Financial sustainability: EVs come with higher upfront costs. Without strong financing models for drivers, many may find ownership or leasing terms unsustainable.

The Bigger Picture

Even if LagRide falls short of 70%, the rollout of EVs in Lagos is a landmark moment. It signals that African cities are no longer waiting on global trends but are shaping their own path in sustainable transport. Lagos is positioning itself as a testbed for EV adoption on the continent, and the lessons learned here could ripple across Nigeria and beyond.

For now, Lagosians can expect to see more silent, battery-powered vehicles in traffic. Whether this transforms into market dominance or remains a bold experiment will depend on execution, infrastructure, and public trust.