Jamaica’s e-mobility policy to be boosted by launch of three battery-electric buses – Samuda
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Three standardised 12-metre battery-electric buses will be deployed across the University of Technology, Caribbean Maritime University and HEART/NSTA Trust as part of the Government’s e-mobility policy.
Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, said a validation workshop in January confirmed the structure of a pilot programme under the NDC Technology and Economic Cooperation Programme.
“The Government has transitioned from planning to implementation in electric mobility,” he told the Parliament.
Samuda explained that the buses are designed to meet real demand, with passenger loads ranging from 25 to over 50 people per trip and daily travel distances of up to 240 kilometres.
Each bus will have an operational range of approximately 250 kilometres per charge, supported by dedicated DC fast-charging infrastructure. The programme also includes driver training, technical capacity building, and standardised maintenance systems to ensure efficiency and scalability.
-Lynford Simpson
