Nigeria CNG EV Safety Risks: SON Warns on Weak Regulation

• Stakeholders warn of safety risks threatening Nigeria's transition to CNG and EVs.
• Weak regulation, inadequate testing facilities, and poor public awareness are major concerns.
• The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is urging the government to prioritize strict standards and effective regulation.
• The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is developing Standard Operating Procedures for the deployment and regulation of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.

CNG and EV technologies are inherently safe when they are designed, manufactured, installed, and maintained in accordance with recognised national and international standards.

The transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Nigeria is facing significant safety risks due to weak regulation, inadequate testing facilities, and poor public awareness. The Federal Government's clean mobility agenda is under threat as stakeholders warn that unless urgent measures are taken to strengthen standards enforcement and eliminate uncertified products from the market, safety incidents could erode public confidence and discourage investment in the emerging sector. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has sounded the alarm, urging the government to prioritize strict standards, effective regulation, and public confidence for a successful transition to cleaner transportation. The warning comes as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) develops Standard Operating Procedures for the deployment and regulation of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles to ensure alignment with global safety and operational standards.

The proliferation of informal vehicle conversion centres has outpaced regulatory inspection and enforcement, leading to a rapid influx of grey-market CNG cylinders and conversion kits. This has created a significant threat to the industry, with stakeholders warning that the use of uncertified components and poor installation practices could turn safe technologies into serious hazards. The explosion of a CNG cylinder installed in an Audi 80 at a filling station along the Benin-Auchi Expressway in Edo State is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by non-compliant products and practices. Investigations revealed that the incident was caused by the use of an uncertified cylinder and failure to comply with the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Installation Standard, NNG 1214:2024.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is developing operational frameworks that will guarantee the safe introduction and widespread adoption of cleaner transportation technologies in Nigeria. The agency's goal is to ensure alignment with global safety and operational standards, particularly in areas relating to battery safety, charging interoperability, and second-life applications. However, stakeholders warn that standards must keep pace with rapidly evolving global technologies, requiring sustained investment in modern laboratories and highly skilled technical personnel. This will enable the country to benefit from the clean mobility agenda while ensuring public safety.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the development of operational frameworks by the Federal Road Safety Corps to ensure alignment with global safety and operational standards, particularly in areas relating to battery safety, charging interoperability, and second-life applications.

Source: Original reporting via Stakeholders flag safety risks in CNG, EV transition