EV charging gets energised
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is set to roll out an additional 10 new charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) over the course of 2023. This initiative will help Jamaica to keep pace with global trends in EV adoption.
Currently, there are 10 cashless, convenient, and easy-to-use “Charge and Go” stations in the country using European standards, being rapid and fast. JPS was the first to install such ports on the island for electric-powered vehicles, which are cheaper to fuel. The ports are located in several towns across the country; Boot Service Station in Draxhall, St Ann; and TotalEnergies in Ironshore, St James, Manor Park and Harbour View in St Andrew; and Port Antonio in Portland, to name a few. Since then, private entities such as resorts and homeowners have installed electric charging ports on their properties.”
Minister of Transport and Mining Audley Shaw shared that the Government remains dedicated to the goal of transitioning to 35 per cent electricity sector renewable energy generation by 2030 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent by 2030. EVs will assist in achieving these targets.
The Government has also reduced the importation duties on EVs from 30 to 10 per cent and waived registration fees on vehicles that are three years old or less for the next five years. The electrification of the Jamaican transportation sector could potentially save up to US$284m of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP).
By 2030, Jamaica will have an estimated 73,000 public and private vehicles using electricity as fuel. According to Roberto Aiello, principal regional energy specialist at the International Development Bank (IDB), “There is a very big traction in the world to move towards electric vehicles. In fact, many main manufacturers are already pledging to ban the manufacturing of internal combustion engines, the earliest one being 2030.”