Nigerian Senators have rejected a bill which aims to phase out petrol vehicles and introduce electric cars into the country in 2035.
The bill, which was introduced on April 10 was not considered for second reading and was subsequently rejected during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The bill was sponsored by Ben Murray-Bruce, the Senator representing Bayelsa East.
Speaking after the session, Bruce said: “Combustion engine cars have continued to cause deaths through uncontrolled pollution,” said Mr Murray-Bruce.
“Secondly, we have been spending over N1 trillion annually subsidising fuel in this country.
“By introducing electric cars, fuel subsidy will automatically be gone and those funds will be used for infrastructure and education,” he argued.
He also explained that maintaining an electric car is far cheaper than petrol cars.
“To charge your electric cars, all the filling stations will be replaced with solar charging stations. Thankfully, this country is blessed with sunlight 365 days in a year.
“Electric cars are outselling petrol cars as witnessed in Norway a few weeks ago. It makes more sense to build Nigeria’s biggest power plant than refineries.”
Barau Jibrin who opposed the bill, said Nigerians should be allowed to embrace electric cars at their economic pace rather than making it mandatory.
“Making it mandatory that everyone should resort to using electric cars at a given day is not feasible,” he said.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and Andrew Uchendu also opposed the bill.
Mr Uchendu said the bill failed to meet requirements of order 77 of the Senate standing order in failing to state ‘financial implications.’
Mr Murray-Bruce believes his colleagues were still living in the past for opposing the bill.
“I want my colleagues to close their eyes and dream they are in the 21st century. In a few years’ time, combustion engine cars will no longer be manufactured. For the sake of my colleagues, I’ll withdraw the bill. You don’t belong to the 21st century and I understand.”
