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The fossil fuel cars are slowly and quietly being replaced by Electric Vehicles globally and for Africa, Dennis Chuah, President of Electric Vehicle Association of Malaysia says its adoption will offer more economic advantages to the continent.
“Electric vehicles are no longer about sustainability, they are about fuel cost stability, economic resilience, and job creation”, he told BusinessDay in Taipei, Taiwan recently.
Explaining more on the importance of adoption of EV, he said that “when fuel becomes unpredictable, transportation becomes expensive and this affects the entire economy.”
On job creation, Chuah said that “EV is not just a transport solution, it is an industrial opportunity.”
He noted that EV industry will also create jobs in the establishment of assembly plants, battery systems, building charging infrastructure and maintenance and services
According to him, “the EV sector opens new pathways for young talent in engineering, energy systems, and digital mobility” and assisting them to develop local capability.
He said “EV is not about the future; it is about solving today ’s fuel problem.”
Last week, the Government of Rwanda directed its public institutions to ensure that 30 per cent of all vehicles procured are fully electric, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on petroleum products, according to agency report.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure Rwanda and addressed to chief budget managers. The circular, requires all public institutions to incorporate the directive into their procurement plans.
It stated that the measure, which takes immediate effect, is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering dependence on fossil fuels and promoting clean and sustainable mobility.
According to the directive, compliance with the 30 per cent requirement is mandatory for all government institutions.
The government said the policy forms part of broader efforts to accelerate adoption of electric mobility in the country.
It added that incentives had been introduced to support the transition, including reduced electricity tariffs for charging electric vehicles and exemption of import duties on electric vehicles and related accessories.
