A consortium of stakeholders in the electric mobility (e-mobility) industry have created the Jamaica Electric Vehicle Association (JEVA).

United in their resolve to promote the transition to sustainable e-mobility across the country, the organisation met on March 6 to elect an interim board of directors to oversee the affairs of the association. The directors elected to serve on JEVA’s board are: Jetcon CEO Andrew Jackson, president; Carland CEO Tariq Malik, vice-president; Nikkolai Cowan, secretary; and Tropical Mobility CEO Oliver Hill, treasurer.

“JEVA was formed to advance several key objectives related to the development of a sustainable e-mobility ecosystem in Jamaica, namely: to accelerate the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Jamaica by educating residents about the benefits of e-mobility; to serve as a trade organisation representing the interests of key industry stakeholders and dialogue with policymakers to foster an orderly transition to e-mobility; to provide networking and educational opportunities related to e-mobility; and to promote energy conservation and the adoption of renewable energy to power transportation,” a release stated.

During the meeting, several committees were established to support the operation of the board and manage a number of issues important to the association’s mission.

Among them: Safety and Standards Committee headed by Flash Motors CEO Xavier Gordon; Public Relations Committee led by Taylor Whittaker Enterprises CEO Rudyard Whittaker; Membership Committee chaired by Plug-in Jamaica founder Danehue Collash. GMC Principal Director Garth McKenzie will lead the policy liaison and will interface with the Government of Jamaica in its stakeholder consultations related to the development of an updated National Energy Policy.

“We are pleased with the Government of Jamaica’s proactive approach to the development of the electric mobility ecosystem, from its support for the rapid deployment of public charging networks and training, to the implementation of a duty concession that makes electric vehicles more affordable, thus encouraging adoption,” JEVA President Jackson told Jamaica Observer in a response to a query about the organisation’s expectations of Government.

“We look forward to additional measures that reinforce the government of Jamaica’s policy position, including preferential electricity tariffs for EV charging and measures that promote the use of renewable energy to power electric vehicles. There is no question that Jamaica has tremendous benefits to gain from the electrification of transport, which, combined with solar power, represents a clear pathway towards energy independence and carbon neutrality for our country and region,” he added.

For the rest of the year, JEVA will strategically focus on growing its membership with content and events, and engaging with Government to advance the association’s mission and participate in stakeholder consultations associated with the development of the updated National Energy Plan.

However, in the long term the association will be aiming to “further facilitate rapid diversification of our energy mix and thereby reduce our heavy reliance on fossil fuels” including heavy fuel oil.

When asked what the association will be advocating for from policymakers, JEVA listed:

1. To make the duty concession for battery electric vehicles permanent;

2. For parts specific to battery electric vehicles to benefit from the 10 per cent concession as well;

3. For the environmental levy applied to battery electric vehicles and lithium batteries to be used to cover end-of-life costs;

4. For the import and export of new and used BEVs and electric vehicle batteries be streamlined to ensure uptake and responsible end-of-life solutions;

5. For electric vehicle charging to enjoy special electricity tariffs that encourages grid health and lower charging rates.