Page 50 - CARILEC CE Journal CEMAY2021

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS — REDUCED forces: the need to decrease dependence on fossil
AIR POLLUTION AND GREENHOUSE GASES fuels to reduce costs and combat climate change;
EVs have zero tailpipe emissions which reduce air generate clean energy from solar and wind power;
pollution and greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide), and greater awareness and education of EV benefits,
contributing to a cleaner environment. Although including lower operating and maintenance costs
the power plant that generates electricity produces as well as improved road performance,“ says Ms.
emissions, EVs operate at a much higher efficiency, Edghill.
and therefore, produce fewer pollutants than gas- According to Ms. Edghill, the use of EVs in
powered vehicles. Additionally, the increased use of Barbados is accelerating because of the support
renewable energy for generating electricity in the of the nation’s electricity provider, Barbados Light
future can further reduce carbon emissions. & Power (BL&P), the Government of Barbados,
According to Collin Cover, General Manager of and local businesses. In 2013, Megapower began
Grenlec, the EVs performed better than expected developing a public charging network in Barbados,
in terms of efficiency, cost savings, and operation. offering open, free-to-use access at high-traffic
“The challenge to increased use of EVs in Grenada locations, including supermarkets, restaurants, and
is the lack of availability through local car dealers,” sports facilities, to increase public awareness and
says Mr. Cover. encourage usage.
In 2015, the charging units were replaced with
EVS SPEEDING UP IN BARBADOS pay-as-you-go cards. In 2018, BL&P assumed 50%
Headquartered in Barbados, Megapower Ltd., an of the cost for three rapid CHAdeMO charging
importer of EVs since 2013, has been instrumental stations. Now there are more than 35 public
in facilitating the sales of EVs, installation of locations across Barbados. The charging sites are
charging stations, and construction of solar carports noted on Megapower’s public EV network mobile
throughout the Caribbean, including Antigua, Grand and web-based app: www.plugshare.com.
Bahamas, Grenada, St. Vincent, and Turks and Working with Megapower, BL&P has also provided
Caicos. According to Joanna Edghill, co-founder of incentives and interest-free loans to utility staff for
Megapower, the future of EVs in the Caribbean is the purchase of EVs. The implementation of Time-
strong. “EVs represent a natural confluence of three of-Use (TOU) rates is being explored as well.

Joanna Edghill of Megapower Ltd., Barbados, in an electric bus manufactured by BYD.

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