UNILAG Test Runs Locally Made Vehicle

Source:News Agency of Nigeria

Soremekun Seyifunmi and Faith Enang

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Academics and Research) of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwole Familoni has disclosed that the institution is test-running its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV).

According to him, the Unilag ZEV which was inaugurated by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe in 2018, is “a 63 per cent hardware and 100 per cent software home-made (Akoka content) mechatronics automobile device”.

Familoni, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, explained that the invention would encourage indigenous engineering innovation and added that it was motivated by the universal drive to minimise global warming.

He told NAN that the drive train functionality which is currently run on with a six-passenger Sport Utility Shuttle Van platform can still be converted to support an 18- seater commuter bus with time.

Professor Oluwole emphasized on the minimal energy consumption of the ZEV.

“The drive train Energy Management System (EMS) is programmed to deliver ultra-low-power supply to realise maximum range per battery charging cycle at campus shuttling speed of less than 20km//hour”, he added.

Commenting on the innovation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe said the ZEV was a child of the institution’s demand driving research and solicited for more research funds.