Durrant Pate/Contributor

Andrew Jackson, president of the Jamaica Electric Vehicles Association (JEVA), wants the authorities to find a way to better accelerate the amount of electric vehicles (EVs) to cater to reaching sustainable energy goals.  

Highlighting the fact that the number of EVs on the road currently is probably less than 500 compared to about 50,000 cars added yearly, Jackson bemoaned the reality that the adoption of EVs in the country is “at best disappointing.” Finding a way to increase the number of EVs on the road, he sees as the duty of JEVA.

The JEVA president cited how amazing the development of solar and electric technologies in Jamaica are, emphasising the need for the island to quickly shift to using these kinds of technologies.

“The advancement in solar and electric vehicle technologies is a godsend for Jamaica,” Jackson declared.

He pointed out how much more efficient and environmentally friendly these technologies are, hence the need to adopt them arguing, “one single solar panel, 500 watts, can produce as much energy as one barrel of oil (without pollution) and the solar panel will keep producing and producing, possibly for the next 20 years.” 

Need to grow EV usage in Jamaica

Addressing the opening session of the eighth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum, hosted in Kingston, Jackson is insistent that Jamaica must find a way to make the technologies more embedded in society.

Admitting the need for an increase in the use of solar energy, the motor vehicle dealer contended that a country like Jamaica and the rest of the region that heavily relies on imported oil, should be excited for solar technology. He pointed out that the region on a whole has an abundance of sunshine and ought to use it to drive its energy needs.

In examining Jamaica’s oil usage statistics, Jackson said this illustrates the need for change saying, “Jamaica for example uses approximately 10 million barrels of oil per year, which costs about 30 per cent of our budget.” He concluded that half of the oil goes to the mobility sector which includes cars, buses and trucks.