Energy and Technology Minister Daryl Vaz says that, “Jamaica does not intend to be left behind, nor do we intend to be a dumping ground for combustion engines.”

He was speaking in the House of Representatives delivering his presentation in the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate on Wednesday (May 10).

“And so, as highlighted in the Prime Minister’s Budget presentation, the government will be removing the restrictions on the importation of a wide range of electric vehicles including electric motorcycles,” he said.

Vaz said that recent changes in the global energy sector have contributed to the increase in the rate of adoption of electric vehicles and buses to further the de-carbonisation of vehicular transport and accelerate the energy transition within the transport sector.

“The truth of the matter is that we were under a lot of pressure from the automobile dealer industry. What happened is that the manufacturers, without getting a clear signal from the government, in relation to the electric vehicle (EV) policy, would not slot them in for production. So, we were being left behind,” Vaz explained.

“Thankful to the Chair of the EV working committee, Wayne Chen, and the stakeholders in the industry, we were able to put together and announce a policy. The final policy document is being finalised within the next few months,” he added, noting that the policy is in keeping with the Strategic Framework for Electric Vehicles and the fiscal incentives which were approved by Cabinet in May 2022.

The minister said that the policy, “which is geared towards supporting the goal of improved energy efficiency use of energy in the transport sector, to promote e-mobility and a cleaner environment, seeks to provide the overarching framework for associated ecosystems through a three-phased strategy that comprises public awareness, alternative mobility options and local adoption,” adding that MSET is working aggressively to have the policy completed by June 2023.

“With more Jamaicans already making the environmentally-conscious decision to ‘go green’, the government is optimistic that we will exceed our EV take-up target by 2030. We congratulate those environmentally-conscious motor vehicle dealers and purchasers for being among the early adopters of
electric vehicles, and we encourage more Jamaicans to go green and drive clean as we continue to innovate our nation and empower our people,” he expressed.

Energy efficiency for existing and new public buildings

The minister said that, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) continues to support the Jamaican government’s ‘green initiatives’ through its engagement of a regional body to undertake the finalisation of a policy for energy efficiency for existing and new public buildings.

This policy is expected by June.

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