THANKS TO PRIVATE sector foresight, we have witnessed the introduction of electric vehicles in Barbados. This should be clearly a fillip to the national transition to green growth – both in terms of energy usage and in reduction of harmful emissions.
The innovation by leading entrepreneur Ralph “Bizzy” Williams to test a number of these vehicles in his many businesses, can set the stage for what will hopefully be a new stage in the local transportation sector. These tests can help to give the entire country a true and accurate gauge of what can be attained from using electric vehicles.
There are two types of mass-produced electric vehicles – the Chevrolet Volt, which runs on battery power for up to 50 miles before a backup gasoline engine kicks in, and the Nissan Leaf, a purely battery-powered five-passenger hatchback. Mr Williams has opted for the latter vehicle.
His initiative will hopefully lead to a genuine transformation of this country’s automotive fleet, saving millions of dollars. The country – particularly the Government – needs to stand behind him, since his testing period may throw up realistic solutions way beyond his needs, some of which may be of use to public service vehicles.
There is always some measure of scepticism with the introduction of new technology or methods of doing business. This will be very true in the attempt to switch from the proven, tested and trusted petrol-driven vehicles to those which are electric propelled.
Already we have seen a slow take-up of the hybrids and the natural gas-powered vehicles in Barbados, highlighting our conservative nature and steadfast love for tradition.
Electric vehicles are not without their critics in developed nations.
In North America some opponents point to a number of factors which work against them. However, their use in situations which could be impacted by weather conditions such as snow blizzards and long commutes exceeding 200 kilometres daily, are hardly things we will have to face.
The truth is that plug-in electric cars are not really new since they were the popular choice around 1900 until the arrival of Henry Forde’s Model T eight years later, which made the gasoline-powered car an affordable mass-market product.
The challenge for us will be in getting local automotive dealers interested and on board; firstly to bring the brands here and in promoting a mass roll-out. Again this will necessitate Government’s assistance to make that happen. Lower levels of taxation on the electric-powered vehicles would be a good way to start.