I have always had a
passion for cars. Right from the time I was seven/eight, I had already known
that I wanted to study automobile engineering. Why? I can’t really say, I do
know that my father had a strong part to play in it though. From when I was
very young, my Dad and I used to hang around his 1976 Mercedes 280 and he
taught me almost everything he knew about the car. Although he studied banking
and he didn’t really know a great deal about cars but there was a way he maintained
that Benz that really attracted me. Safe to say, he helped kindle my auto-spirit.
Later I got into
University of Lagos to study Mechanical Engineering “because the school doesn’t
offer Automobile Engineering” and I finished in December 2014. Honestly,
studying in Unilag reduced my ginger. All the mathematical courses and boring
labs we did can really bring one down, but when it was time for my Industrial
attachment, I was revived. I did my I.T at the Volkswagen Service Centre and
there I was able to really get in touch with the things I loved. While I was
there, I learnt a lot, those guys would never forget me because I asked plenty of
questions, trying to make sure I understood properly what I was doing. I first worked
at the general floor where I performed a lot of detailed servicing and
suspension repairs, and later at the engine room where I got to work on the
real deal; the engine. Those were the days…
It was also around
that period that I started this blog. I did enjoy all the blogging although I must
admit that writing did put a strain on me. I’ve had some really great articles
and many bland ones. Ultimately, I’ve realized automotive journalism is not my
calling, which brings me to why I wrote this article.
In my final year,
around February of last year, the Spirit told me that I was going to build a
vehicle. “believe me it happened, I was on my way back from Church, I was
praying about my final year project and I heard the Spirit say it”.
Anyway, I acted on it.
I went to see a friend and together we started drawing out plans for the
vehicle. I initially wanted it to be a hybrid but after I discovered the
complexity of that kind of setup “especially as regards the engine”, I decided
to make it all electric. After a lot of ramblings, we called it the D0VE with
respect to the Holy Spirit; the acronym also meant Designed with 0 Vehicle
Emissions. The first few months were all about designing the blueprint and
doing research, it was our first time embarking on a project of such a nature
and we were largely inexperienced so we had to do a lot of research. I told
some of my family members about what I had in mind and they were very
supportive, they also donated some money to the project.
 |
| The frame and suspension design |
Being a Mechanical Engineering
student, I wanted to focus more on the vehicle frame and suspension. Ultimately,
I decided that the main aim of D0VE was for it to be an all electric vehicle
built for racing. The official portfolio would say D0VE is an electric track
oriented vehicle designed and constructed using mainly locally sourced
materials and indigenous technology. We made
a lot of progress with the design and later on, I added a couple of my colleagues
to join in with the plan.
 |
| 3D visual of the frame and suspension design |
True to our ideals,
D0VE was going to be using locally sourced materials. In fact it’s difficult to
build it otherwise. The frame is composed completely of locally sourced steel “aluminum
would have been a great choice but it was really expensive and I couldn’t find
a welder who could work on it. Also for the suspension, the best components I and
my colleagues could find were from the keke maruwa, they weren’t ideal and had
to be modified, but at least the vehicle was taking shape. I planned to use at
least 6hp to power the vehicle and I was able to find 3hp motors, but they were
really expensive so I bought just one. Honestly, I’ve spent quite a lot of
money on it, but I wasn’t discouraged.
Currently, we have
completed the design of the frame and the suspension and have also completed
the construction of the frame.
However I’ve had
problems that stalled progress a lot. One
of them was the difficulty of combining the D0VE project with my course work
and school project. I had wanted to make it my final project but I was advised
against it because it wasn’t “academic in nature”.
Now that I’m done
with school, I want to continue with D0VE and the old problems are back. The lack
of a financial sponsor and technical advisers is almost making things
impossible plus I’m discovering that getting the support of the University as a
graduate student is a bit difficult. There are some of the parts that I have
that need to be modified before they can be used but I don’t have access to any
technician or machinery that I can use; couple that with a May deadline and it’s
almost like things are bleak. “NYSC is in May and definitely if there’s not
been solid progress by then, D0VE would have to be shelved”. This is why I’m writing this article; perhaps
there is anyone out there who is interested in automotive projects like this
and would be interested in assisting to see this one through, please contact
me. “My details are at the end of this article”.
My plans for D0VE
were to first built the prototype and exhibit it as a Made in 9ja vehicle. Then
start a program called the Project D0VE Initiative where students and professionals
of similar incline can work under and create better and more innovative versions
of the vehicle. Somewhere down the line, we could throw in a competition among
Nigerian Universities so as to involve students from other schools in the D0VE
project and ultimately create a road going version which would be marketed and
sold to the general public.
I am confident that one
way or the other, D0VE would become a household name in Nigeria. All new
projects usually get off to a rough start and face a lot of problems but at the
end, with God, all things are possible. On that note I rest my case. #SAVEPROJECTD0VE
Olukoya .O. Olusanya
08095917676,
09030058697
Olukoya.olusanya@gmail.com
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