JAMAICA is being urged to make a new push into the vehicle assembly market, this time targeting the production of electric vehicles.

The call comes from chief operating officer of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) Gary Barrow who challenged the country to “think bigger” and set a goal to be the number one manufacturer of electric cars in this part of the world.

“Why not?” Barrow posed as he addressed an audience at the recent opening of the JPSCo’s 8th electric vehicle charging station at Texaco, Trafalgar Road in New Kingston, St Andrew, last Friday.

“Twenty moving parts in the electric vehicle compared with 200 in the traditional (internal combustion engine). We have skilled labour… with all the levels of computerisation. We are ideally located. Great logistics — just to mention a few of our distinct advantages. This is something I believe we can really achieve,” Barrow stated.

He further added that opportunities abound in the sector, “for assembly, manufacturing, software development, training and skills development, retrofitting, maintenance and repairs, just to name a few”.

While electric vehicles are virtually maintenance-free, and are generally 30 per cent cheaper to operate than traditional vehicles, the JPSCo also announced other attractive incentives for electric vehicle owners.

Barrow disclosed that persons who purchase an electric vehicle through auto dealers ATL and Stewarts, over the next six months, will be receiving special charging discounts from JPS. Additionally, the JPS is offering free electric vehicle charging up to July 21 at the newly opened Texaco service station on Trafalgar Road.

Meanwhile, JPS’ senior vice-president for generation Joseph Williams pointed out that the commissioning was particularly significant for JPS, as it represented the first Charge ‘n Go Electric Vehicle charger, at a Texaco location. It was also significant, he pointed out, “as for the first time in Kingston, strategically located right here at Chambers Texaco, 15 Trafalgar Road, is a Level 3 charger,” also adding that this Level 3 Charging Unit can add 80 kilometres of energy in 20 minutes. Level 3 chargers are the fastest electric vehicle charging stations.

He noted that the roll-out programme includes a combination of the superior Level 3 rapid charging locations, as well as fast or Level 2 charging units to top up the battery in the electric vehicle while persons are on the move or going about their regular business for a few hours. To date, the core of the charging network consists of three Level 3 chargers in Kingston, St Ann and St James, as well as five charging stations in Port Antonio, Manor Park and Harbour View and more recently Discovery Bay and Negril with Level 2 charge plugs. All JPS Charge ‘n Go sites also provide additional access space for disabled users.

Keynote speaker at the commissioning event, chief executive officer of the CB Group Matthew Lyn emphasised the importance of persons engaging more positively with the environment to ensure its sustainability. Citing instances of environmental abuse and degradation, from New York to Jamaica, Lyn warned that in the end “nature always wins”. It was therefore critical to ensure that our activities encouraged sustainability for generations to come. The Caribbean, he noted, is extremely dependent on its climate for its base economic activities — tourism and agriculture. Where would we be without our white sand beaches, he asked, demonstrating the close connection between the environment and income generation.

Given the positive effects of electric vehicles on the environment, such as lowering emission of greenhouse gases, and their ability to use renewable energy, Lyn noted that the adoption of electric vehicles is one way persons can assist nature to heal itself. The CB CEO also announced that, “by 2030 CB will be 100 per cent electric vehicles. Just to put that in context, we have over 200 vehicles in our system.” He also threw out the challenge to all other corporate organisations. “I challenge corporate Jamaica, and the rest of companies to beat 2030.” He added, “I’m a very competitive person… but this race, I would be ecstatic to lose [for the sake of the environment].”