The continuous escalation of petrol prices in Nigeria has severely impacted the profitability of e-hailing drivers, compelling them to actively seek out more economical alternatives for powering their vehicles. While electric vehicles (EVs) have presented themselves as a potential long-term solution, a significant trend has emerged among Nigerian e-hailing drivers: a preference for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cars.

Drivers interviewed highlight that fuel costs, alongside vehicle maintenance expenses, constitute the two primary factors diminishing their daily earnings. Despite acknowledging the potential of EVs to mitigate both these costs, there is considerable skepticism regarding their immediate adoption. An e-hailing driver named Ajibola articulated these concerns, stating, "We are sceptical about EVs because of the maintenance and durability of the batteries. We are used to handling gasoline vehicles but EVs will be new technology which many drivers will have to get accustomed to and that’s a learning curve there." This sentiment underscores a broader reluctance to embrace a completely new technological paradigm.

Economically, EVs offer cleaner and potentially more affordable long-term operational costs. However, current economic realities in Nigeria, characterized by low purchasing power, pose significant short-term hurdles for drivers. In this context, CNG vehicles emerge as a more accessible and affordable option. The primary reason for this affordability disparity lies in the initial investment. Acquiring an EV necessitates purchasing a brand-new vehicle, with the cheapest models currently ranging between N10 million to N15 million. Such an expenditure is prohibitive for the vast majority of e-hailing drivers, making it an unfeasible investment.

Conversely, transitioning to a CNG car is considerably less capital-intensive. Drivers are not required to purchase a new vehicle; instead, their existing petrol-powered cars can be retrofitted with CNG cylinders and integrated into the existing engine system. According to a Daily Trust report, this conversion typically costs between N300,000 to N600,000, depending on prevailing exchange rates. A significant advantage of this retrofitting is that it does not preclude petrol usage, allowing drivers the flexibility to switch between CNG and petrol as required.

The cost efficiency of CNG as a fuel source further bolsters its appeal. Ray, a Nairaland user purportedly associated with the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO), provided detailed insights into CNG pricing and mileage. He stated that a full CNG cylinder contains 16 standard cubic metres (SCM) of compressed natural gas. With one SCM costing N200, a full cylinder amounts to N3200 and is claimed to provide over 200km of mileage on a 4-plug engine. Ray further asserted that N10,000 worth of CNG is equivalent to N40,000 worth of petrol. From another measurement perspective, one kilogram of compressed natural gas costs N230, meaning 12 kg of gas, which is roughly equivalent to 60 litres of petrol, costs N2,760.

Drivers like Ajibola have expressed strong willingness to adopt CNG technology, citing the extended operational time and superior affordability compared to petrol and diesel. He emphasized that the main deterrents are the cost of retrofitting and concerns about cylinder safety, but believes these issues would not prevent a majority of drivers from converting if costs are kept within affordable budgets. This sentiment is reinforced by active support from the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON).

AUATON has announced plans to finance CNG retrofitting for its members, in collaboration with Sterling Alternative Financing Bank. While the exact cost of retrofitting was not disclosed, the union outlined a daily repayment plan of N5,000, projecting a substantial 75% saving on petrol costs for its members. AUATON’s analysis illustrates this stark difference: an average daily fuel cost of N20,000 for petrol users translates to a minimum monthly expenditure of N520,000 (based on 26 working days). In contrast, driving on CNG would incur a daily cost of N5,000, totaling N130,000 monthly. Even with the N5,000 daily repayment for retrofitting, the combined monthly expense would be N260,000, representing a saving of at least N260,000 on fuel alone.

In essence, the choice by Nigerian e-hailing drivers to opt for CNG vehicles over EVs is a pragmatic one, allowing them to remain within a familiar operational framework. It offers a significantly more affordable solution in the short to medium term and requires less drastic change compared to the "total overhaul" represented by electric vehicles. While this current preference does not entirely rule out future adoption of EVs, the pace of such a transition is expected to be slow. As Ajibola noted, significant changes are often met with aversion, and initial adoption would likely be limited, growing only with demonstrated success and familiarity. Furthermore, mixed experiences with hybrid vehicles among some drivers have not boosted morale for a rapid shift to fully electric options.