Discussions Under Way To Make Electric Vehicles Affordable To Jamaicans

Discussions are under way to make electric vehicles more affordable to Jamaicans by 2030 to 2035.

This was noted by Chief Technical Director of the Policy Planning and Evaluation Division of the Ministry of Economic, Growth and Job Creation, Gillian Guthrie.

Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on February 21 about the Emissions Policy Framework and the updated Climate Change Policy Framework virtual town hall meeting set for today (February 22), Ms. Guthrie said the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) has engaged the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service on the matter.

Both ministries are consulting about incentives that will allow consumers “to purchase these vehicles and make them more attractive over fossil fuel-based vehicles,” she said.

“This is something that must happen to allow the sector to expand in the country. We do not manufacture cars in Jamaica and when we look at the major car manufacturers worldwide, many of them will be changing the cars they produce from fossil fuel-based to these electric vehicles or hybrids come 2030-2035,” the Chief Technical Director said.

“Jamaica recognises that global target, so to speak, and so we have to put the necessary systems in place to allow us to be able to take advantage of it when that transition finally happens,” she added.

The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology’s strategic framework on e-mobility was approved in 2021. It will set the policy context for the promotion of electric vehicles in Jamaica and help with the reduction of emissions from a key economic sector, transportation.

Ms. Guthrie said the Ministry is doing a lot to help reduce the impacts of climate change.

“It also has responsibility for an energy policy and is in the process of reviewing and revising it. Any revisions made will also assist in reducing emissions,” she noted.