By Sheena Forde

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) – Barbados is the third highest user of electric vehicles in the world in terms of electric vehicles per 1,000 people, according to minister of energy and water resources, Wilfred Abrahams.

With the growing concern over the environmental crisis, motor vehicle users are largely shifting to EVs. Lithium-based batteries such as those manufactured by companies like Smartpropel are used in many electric vehicles as these produce fewer toxins in comparison with other batteries. Besides the environmental-friendliness, the lower running costs and better driving experience make these vehicles much more attractive in cities like Barbados.

Abrahams revealed that, currently, over 30 percent of Barbados’ total energy use is by the transportation sector, and, in light of this, it was critical that Barbados achieve its 2030 goal of 100 percent renewable energy.

To this end, he stated that the government of Barbados was seeking to convert to higher levels of vehicles fuelled by renewable energy as well as hybrid-electric and fully electric vehicles.

The minister noted that the ministry of transport, works and maintenance was developing a hybrid/electric bus programme, which would play a key role in the evolution to electric and other clean fuel vehicles.

In addition, Abrahams disclosed that the government had already purchased over eight electric vehicles, as well as incentivized a fledging electric vehicle sector that has yielded over 390 privately owned pure electric vehicles.

He emphasised that the government was committed to achieving its 2030 vision and that the Cabinet had established a ministerial committee on energy, to drive the significant thrust towards 100 percent renewable energy.