Fuel crisis: Ilaro poly produces solar-powered tricycles

Students of the Federal polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State, have produced solar- powered electric tricycles in order to mitigate increasing cost of transportation caused by the hike in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

City & Crime reports that the latest hike in the price of petrol has pushed up transport fares by over 50 percent in major cities across Nigeria.

In a bid to tackle the challenge, the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro produced the home-grown solution.

The solar and electric automated tricycles were produced by students of mechanical engineering department, automotive engineering, metallurgical engineering, and computer science departments of the institution.

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Dr. Mukail Akinde, the Rector of the Polytechnic, said the initiative would not only lessen the effects of the petrol price, but also address the challenge of environmental pollution.

Akinde noted that aside the tricycle, the student also produced a biometric device machine which is used to take attendance in the institution.

Speaking during the launch of the tricycle at the weekend, the Rector emphasized the need to invest more in the polytechnic education in order to bring about needed change and boost the production capabilities of Nigeria.

The rector lamented that a number of things imported into the country could be manufactured locally and urged the federal government to prioritize polytechnic education.

Speaking at an event, the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Felix Olu, noted that the institution’s innovation demonstrates the Polytechnic’s commitment to solving real-world problems through practical and forward-thinking engineering solutions.

Olu, represented by Abolaji Ilori, Chairman, Abeokuta Chapter of the institute, praised the institution for providing an eco-friendly and cost-effective transportation solution as well as contributing to the fight against climate change.

According to Jide Soyemi, the director of the Centre for Innovation, the e-tricycle has a maximum capacity of seven passengers and a top speed of 50km per hour.

He noted that one of the goals of the polytechnic was to keep her students abreast with practices in developed nations and prepare them for the future.