1. Bringing the power of electric vehicles to Africa.
We started exploring the idea of electric vehicles and alternatives to petrol powered vehicles in Africa early Many doubted we would be able to cause a disruption to the market with the main obstacle being a stable and sufficient electricity supply in the continent. After one year of extensive research we are now in a position to pioneer bringing electric tuks or e-tuks to Africa’s largest economy - Nigeria.
In 2017, after months of negotiations and talks with numerous electric tuk tuk providers around the world, we managed to find and team up with Tuk Tuk Factory, Netherlands, Europe’s largest e-tuk manufacturers, a manufacturer that completely fitted in with our ethos, professionalism and clean air vision for Africa and globally. Since then we have been working hard to develop an etuk vehicle fit for purpose for the African market. We discovered the ‘e-tuk Safari’.
Nigeria will be our first destination for the e-tuks. With Nigeria being home to some of the most polluted cities in the world, they continue to use pollutant petrol powered vehicles for transport. We found this a perfect destination for etuks, where e-tuks will cut pollution to 0% emissions, create sustainable jobs, lower running costs for owners and reduce the cost of transport, reduce noise, increase safety and reduce reliance on petrol in the country – A no brainer for governments and business owners alike.
One of the biggest challenges that we faced with the African market was the temperamental electricity supply. Fully aware, of this problem, GD alongside its partners devised a solution to power and charge its e-tuks in all major cities and rural areas. Allowing e-tuk owners the freedom to recharge their vehicle batteries conveniently as required wherever and whenever needed, just like any petrol powered vehicle would be able to do in a petrol station.

2. The Business Owner Case – Lower Total Cost of Ownership
With most western countries turning to electric powered vehicles over the next few years, Africa and Asia are the next obvious target destinations for the electric revolution. E-tuk business owners can benefit in many ways.
Owners will find e-tuk vehicles cheaper to run than petrol powered vehicles. Therefore reducing overall cost for the business owner, allowing them to make more profit. E-tuks provide near 0% maintenance, 0% emissions, no petrol costs, they are able to carry nearly 2x more passengers than current Bajaj’s, better safety options for passengers, bank micro finance, and possible government subsidies for low emission vehicles. They are in direct competition with small mini buses – however, by being cheaper to buy, but can carry more passengers, and cheaper to run, they are the more lucrative option for passenger transport fleet owners and businesses.
The Environmental Case
Nigeria is home to four of the most air pollutant countries in the world. with Onitsha and Kaduna two of Nigeria’s most populous and prosperous cities recording record high PM10 levels.
0% Emissions
Substantially less noise than current Bajaj’s used en mass in Nigeria
0% reliance on petrol
Better safety options for driver and passengers therefore saving lives
Creates sustainable income and jobs
Helps to alleviate poverty

3. The Local Government and State Case
GD’s E-tuks will be the 1st ever efficient road vehicle in NG
Government incentives for efficiency may be possible for owners
E-tuks will fit in the market just above current Bajaj and slightly below small cars. Having the same capacity as small minibuses which have been recently the most popular option for passenger transport for businesses
Cost to purchase is reasonable in comparison to competitors prices
Good incentives and ROI for investors wishing to purchase the vehicles
Government / State will be acting environmentally consciously
E-tuks will help reduce emissions, pollution and reduce noise in the cities
Scale – the opportunity is there to spread the model across Nigeria and other viable African countries
E-tuks will create of sustainable jobs
E-tuks will help to alleviate poverty
Our Positioning
We see E-tuks fitting in between the small taxi, mini bus and current petrol polluting Bajajs. Etuks will be the most attractive option for investors for passenger transport. They will also be the more attractive and safer option for passenger transport for city dwellers / city workers and will be the preferable option for people that want to travel short distances within cities and towns. They will appeal to the more modern day, more up market passenger, city worker, transporter of cargo, business owners and families.

4. What does the future hold for GD and e-tuks ?
We aim to be on the ground in Nigeria by end of Nigeria is our first step in delivering electric three wheelers to Africa which will be used for passenger transport and cargo effectively with the infrastructure in place to charge the e-tuks conveniently and as required which has never happened before. Our aim is to expand this model to other African countries, providing the same solution to other African cities.
We are currently investing in e-tuks in Nigeria looking at infrastructure (assembly factories) and development of charging solutions for e-tuks on the ground. We envisage investment in infrastructure and charge solutions to be fully developed, functional and ready to provide efficient service by end of 2018 ready for our first imported batch of CKD e-tuks to be assembled in Nigeria in 2018.
Contact Us
For press enquires or further information please contact us at:
Gray’s Derbyshire Associates Limited, 601 International House, 223 Regent Street
London, United Kingdom, W1B 2QD
Tel: