The Ministry of Communications, Works, Energy and Labour (MCWEL) is set to unveil the island’s very first electric vehicle, later this
week.
Energy Minister, the Honourable Paul Lewis will deliver remarks at the reveal ceremony, which will take place at the (MCWEL) Headquarters in Brades on Friday August 16, 2019 starting at 2:00p.m.
The Ministry procured the electric vehicle as part of plans under the Montserrat Energy Policy 2016-2030, to transition the transport sector away from fossil fuels. The Policy was developed to ensure that by 2030 Montserrat has reliable, low-cost, sustainable provision of energy services in line with Montserrat’s social and development needs. As it relates to the transport sector, the Policy makes provisions for the Government of Montserrat to identify opportunities and strategies for sustainable transportation practices, which includes the promotion and development of electric, hybrid electric and advanced vehicle technologies.
Additionally, the MCWEL’s electric vehicle will be used as part of a pilot project by the Government of Montserrat to assess how cost effective it is to own an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle when compared to a normal internal combustion engine vehicle (fuel vehicle).
In support of efforts to encourage these environmentally friendly electric vehicles, the Government of Montserrat has placed a 5-year waiver on the custom duties and consumption tax on all 100% electric vehicles imported until 2024.
Hybrid vehicles are exempted from customs duties only, for two years. All other hybrid vehicles, except plug-in hybrid vehicles are exempted from consumption tax only for two years. Replacement batteries and charging stations are also exempted from customs duties and consumption tax for five years.
The importation of these vehicles must be certified by the Director of the MCWEL’s Public Works Department (PWD) and a processing fee of 5% is payable in all cases.
