May 7, 2021

This morning (May 7), JPS commissioned the first public electric vehicle charging station on the island. The move signals the anticipated change in the tide of vehicle usage from the traditional internal combustion engine, to electric vehicles (EVs). The EV Charging Station, dubbed the JPS Charge ‘N Go, is located at the Boots Gas Station in Drax Hall, St. Ann and features chargers with different specifications to cater to three different vehicle requirements.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz, quoted the Global EV Outlook 2021, pointing out that “Despite the pandemic, electric vehicle registrations have increased by 41% at the end of 2020. In the first quarter of 2021, global electric car sales have soared by almost 140% when compared to the same period in 2020.”

This world trend was also acknowledged by the JPS President & CEO, who outlined some of the significant opportunities that the industry could bring to Jamaica. “The new electric mobility ecosystem is about all of Jamaica,” he said. “It’s about building new skill sets and providing new job opportunities for people to work in an emerging industry. With this electric mobility ecosystem, we want to create internship opportunities for students; training opportunities for technicians and mechanics to service EVs… This ecosystem is also about creating innovative financing opportunities for persons who want to pursue new ventures in the EV industry…”

By year end, five more EV charging stations will be in place, in both cities (Kingston and Montego Bay), as well as other urban centres.

Unlike the traditional internal combustion engine, the electrical vehicle has very little under the hood, and maintenance consists mostly of tyre and wiper blade changes a few times per year, if so often. Electric vehicles are also environmentally friendly, as they emit little or no carbon emissions.