Policy calls for drivers to go electric by 2045
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government is hoping that by 2045, every new car imported into the Cayman Islands will be an electric vehicle (EV) — part of the proposed new National Energy Policy (NEP), which aims to cut the islands’ greenhouse gas emissions and reduce pollution on the roads. In the long term, all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles should be running on electricity derived from renewables by 2050. However, the first step is for 30% of all categories of new vehicles to be EVs by 2030.
Sales of electric vehicles currently make up only a small percentage of cars being imported into Cayman annually, which is believed to be around 5,000. CNS has asked various government departments to get a more precise figure, but that data does not appear to be available.
With the new restriction on the importation of vehicles, which must now be no older than eight years, people importing cars in the future may be more tempted to switch to EVs, especially if the government reduces the duty on these to zero.
At a recent town hall meeting, Premier Wayne Panton said the proposed long-term targets would see a 90% reduction in emissions by 2050, which he maintained was possible without pushing up costs. He said he wanted to see the Cayman Islands go from being one of the region’s worst emitters of greenhouse gases to one of the most sustainable.
The new energy policy proposes various measures to raise awareness and promote the use and purchase of EVs, such as implementing duty waivers and including mandatory charging stations in planning applications.
Cayman will also need to develop a regulatory framework around EVs and charging them. James Whittaker, the chairman of the Energy Policy Council, noted one of the most important considerations, which is the impact of tens of thousands of vehicles that will have to be plugged into the grid. “All initiatives to promote electric vehicles should also consider the renewable energy capacity needed to account for the increased electric load,” he said.
The handful of charging stations currently on Grand Cayman are largely powered directly by CUC rather than stand-alone solar-powered units. This means that most of the power used to charge EVs is derived from diesel.
The policy calls for the development of a charging network to begin this year and for government to reduce the duty on all EVs to zero for another five years and increase the duty on non-EVs and inefficient vehicles, as well as develop a scheme to export old combustion cars.
The government is also planning to promote jobs in the EV mechanical sector, as the country begins the two-decade journey to transform the transport sector.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: Energy, Science & Nature
what is the Cayman Islands’ contribution percentage to climate change?
Likely low, but it can be lower.
how will we dispose of these EV vehicles?
The same as any vehicle. The battery can be recycled into new batteries. This is very efficient as its constituents are reused. Conversely burnt oil products are gone.
how much does it cost to replace an EV battery?
EV batteries last the life of the car in most cases, so typically there is no cost as there is no battery replacement.
how much diesel does it take to charge an EV battery?
Typically none. Rather use solar or wind. Note that shipping diesel also burns diesel. It is much better to use locally source energy, hence solar and wind. Grand Cayman is ideally situated to take advantage of trade winds.
how are these EV batteries made and from what mineral?
There are multiple kinds of batteries. Lithium is a minor constituent of ‘lithium’ batteries. LFP batteries use iron and phosphate. Note again, at the end of live, these can be recycled into new batteries.
what is the labour force and work conditions for workers mining the mineral?
Generally the same as for all minerals.
how are EV fires extinguished?
Using water. Note that ICE cars have many more fires than EVs.
what is the escape/rescue rates for persons in EV fires?
Generally very good. Only accidents involving excessive speed result in fatalities. EVs and in particular Teslas are the safest cars built.
has the fire department input been sought on this decision?
Why is that relevant, given the above?
what efforts to reduce one of the largest contributor to climate change: the clearing of trees, which results in continuously less carbon dioxide being recycled as oxygen?
This is what-about-ism. Yes, destroying and burning trees is equivalent to burning oil – they are both bad. Fortunately one can regrow trees, not so for oil.
there is an obvious increase in glass and concrete plus asphalt in the Cayman Islands; what studies have been conducted on the climate impact of these products, and these products coupled with the wanton destruction of trees?
Yes, this should be addressed. Reduced use of concrete, less tree cutting, and EVs can all contribute to less pollution, and less climate change.
mangroves are being updated acres at a time. what is being done to stop the destruction of mangroves, which have a protective function against waves and flooding activity?
Agree, Mangroves are a benefit both for their protection from wave action and for their effects on animals, local climate and global climate.
We’re going to need more diesel
Questions for the Premier, based on the premise that “climate change” is real:
what is the Cayman Islands’ contribution percentage to climate change?
how will we dispose of these EV vehicles?
how much does it cost to replace an EV battery?
how much diesel does it take to charge an EV battery?
how are these EV batteries made and from what mineral?
what is the labour force and work conditions for workers mining the mineral?
how are EV fires extinguished?
what is the escape/rescue rates for persons in EV fires?
has the fire department input been sought on this decision?
what efforts to reduce one of the largest contributor to climate change: the clearing of trees, which results in continuously less carbon dioxide being recycled as oxygen?
there is an obvious increase in glass and concrete plus asphalt in the Cayman Islands; what studies have been conducted on the climate impact of these products, and these products coupled with the wanton destruction of trees?
mangroves are being updated acres at a time. what is being done to stop the destruction of mangroves, which have a protective function against waves and flooding activity?
Kattina Anglin gone done her research, the premier hasn’t or worse chooses to ignore it.
Any mention of cuc generating electricity by burning diesel?
Any mention on the restrictions (punitive prices) on solar panel installations ?
part of the proposed new National Energy Policy (NEP), which aims to cut the islands’ greenhouse gas emissions and reduce pollution on the roads
Govt can do that right now by reducing import duty on any motorcycle or scooter 90cc and over from 37%, the same as a motor vehicle valued from $25,001-$30,000.
Agree. What a ridiculous anomaly.
Here’s a low impact, relatively cheap and efficient way of moving people around…let’s tax that at 37%, that’ll be a great idea!
Morons.
‘the biggest drain besides driving on an ev is climate control, typically requiring about 3-4kW to run, which equates to seven miles of range per hour to run the air-con and five miles per hour to run.’
What’s probably the biggest problem with driving any vehicle in Cayman right now?, and some think they won’t be killing their batteries 🙄