Ride-hailing platform Bolt has officially launched electric tricycles in Lagos, marking its first foray into electric “keke” rides in Nigeria’s largest city.
The rollout kicks off this May with an initial fleet of 25 EV tricycles developed in partnership with Lagos-based startup SGX Mobility.
The electric tricycles, each priced at ₦3.2 million ($1,996), are now available on the Bolt app as a ride option for Lagos users. Through a lease-to-own model, drivers can take ownership with a ₦208,000 ($130) down payment, spreading the rest over 18–24 months. Weekly lease payments are fixed at ₦32,000 ($20), or ₦156,000 ($97) monthly — a system Bolt claims is more manageable than existing vehicle financing options.
“This launch isn’t just about vehicles. It’s about building an ecosystem that benefits drivers and the environment,” says Caroline Wanjihla, Bolt Africa’s spokesperson. “With EV tricycles, drivers save money from day one — no fuel, lower maintenance, and clearer ownership paths.”
Bolt is offering drivers a 15% commission rate, lower than the 25% typically charged for standard vehicles. The move directly addresses long-standing complaints from drivers on other platforms like Moove and LagRide, who cite rigid payment schedules and unsustainable workloads. By contrast, Bolt says its EV lease structure offers more predictable payments and fewer surprises.
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Each tricycle runs on a swappable battery system, cutting refueling time to just a few minutes. A key battery swap station is already operational at Eagle Square in Surulere, enabling drivers to exchange spent batteries for fully charged ones at a daily cost of around ₦6,500 ($4). That’s nearly half the fuel cost for petrol-powered tricycles.
The EVs can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h and operate for up to 12 hours on a full charge, according to SGX’s Corporate Finance Manager, Ayo Mustapha. “We designed them for endurance, affordability, and sustainability,” he explains.
The launch couldn’t be more timely. With petrol prices climbing and CNG conversions still too costly or inaccessible for many drivers, Bolt’s electric offering enters a market already searching for alternatives. The company believes the combination of low entry cost, cleaner energy, and long-term savings will resonate — especially among Lagos’ dense keke economy.
Bolt says it’s closely monitoring how drivers and riders respond. If uptake lags, it’s ready to adjust payment terms, redeploy tricycles, or slow expansion. But early signs are optimistic. If successful, the program will expand to other Nigerian cities and into regional markets like Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and Tunisia.
“In a city as tough as Lagos, what matters is smart economics,” says Zankyang Duniya, Bolt Nigeria’s Operations Manager. “If EVs make financial sense for drivers, adoption will follow. We’re confident they will.”
Bolt’s move not only expands its footprint in electric mobility but sets the stage for more accessible, cleaner transport across West Africa.
Crediblenewng.com
