Page 67 - CARILEC CE Industry Journal_Oct_2019

Considerations for

Electric Vehicle Adoption in

Small Island Developing States

- Chris Meetoo, Govinda Hosein, Sanjay Bahadoorsingh and Chandrabhan Sharma, Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

ABSTRACT

SIDS (Small Island Developing States) are unique in their drive to reducing Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). Since these
countries need to be self-sufficient in energy, there is a dilemma on the best way to reduce GHG emissions while
maintaining energy security. One way is the electrification of the transport section. However, this can wreak havoc on
an electrical network if not done properly. This paper reviews problems of Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption and provides
recommendations on how EV penetration can be managed whilst maintaining the reliability and quality of the
electricity grid in SIDS.

Index Terms — Electric Vehicles, Policy, EV Governance, GHG reduction.

INTRODUCTION not only benefit them economically but also reduce the
dependency on fossil fuels. Larger regions around the
world such as the United States and Europe have
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular adopted the use of EVs into various markets, however for
in various markets around the world. EV sales are smaller regions such as the Caribbean where electrical
expected to increase as the world’s population reduces its and business infrastructures are limited, this
dependency on fossil fuel resources. Worldwide sales for implementation has not been properly standardized. For
EVs have increased by 81% from 2015 to 2018 [1] and such small countries, if the process of implementing EVs
is expected to increase significantly in the future. The is not coordinated in an efficient manner, this can lead to
growth in EVs has spurred significant research, improvident economic decisions and improper
development and growth in the automotive sector. This infrastructure implementation with regard to safety and
movement away from conventional Internal Combustion load demand from electrical utility companies. Obstacles
Engine (ICE) vehicles is set to play a key role in reducing that may arise with respect to the electrical grid include,
carbon emissions linked to global warming. The EV also reliability issues, increased peak loading with an
reduces the dependency on fossil fuels and promotes associated peak generator cost and costs to the utility in
sustainable energy through the generation of electricity upgrading and maintaining these facilities. To fill this
[2]. Also, the use of EVs are becoming more prominent gap, this paper proposes a framework that will assist
due to the increases in the price of fuel, for example in governing bodies as a guide to the implementation of EVs
Trinidad and Tobago fuel subsidy decreased by 15% in into their system. This paper discusses issues and details
2016 [3] and fuel price is expected to gradually increase that arise from importation to electrical infrastructure that
as the fuel subsidy is eventually removed. In some should be considered by small Caribbean countries.
Caribbean countries such as Puerto Rico, Haiti and
Dominica, the low price of fuel may discourage the A previous study [5] based on real distribution network
population from moving towards the use of EVs as it is data in Trinidad and Tobago, highlighted that a 5% EV
not economically feasible [4].
penetration can lead to feeder overloads as a result of
residential AC level 2 charging. This study was classified as
Local sectors such as Trinidad and Tobago have the worst-case scenario with no diversity considerations
implemented steps towards promoting sustainable energy and significant daily mileage driving, requiring daily battery
practices. One such implementation is the use of charging in excess of 80% battery capacity. This confirms
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), but with the that the application of statistically distributed EV charging
advancement of technology, transportation electrification will yield greater margins for power consumption,
is inevitable. Legislative changes that allow for tax supporting more residential EV charging.
exemptions on these EVs will attract consumers that will

CE INDUSTRY Journal 65