Cleaner energy Alternative drives Electric car bid –The way for Our future

After COP23, the future for Fiji and many other countries in the world is in cleaner energy that will power factories, motors, ships, generators, cars and trucks.

We have little choice but to move away from fossil fuel into new forms of energy if we are serious about honouring our commitment to battle climate change.

We should take our cue from our Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, who is leading the charge to reduce global warming.

Carbon emission is responsible for global warming, causing rising sea levels and wild weather patterns that have caused pain and suffering globally.

It is therefore positive news that the Fiji ElectricityAuthority is planning to use electric cars to read FEA meters in homes and commercial properties.

This will be a significant step in the right direction FEA's chairman Daksesh Patel revealed the plans in Bonn, Germany, as a participant in a series of panel discussions on the margins of COP23.

He was in the right country. Mr Patel saw first-hand how dozens of electric cars were being used to shuttle participants between the two zones- Bula Zone and Bonn Zone for various events.

Automakers in Germany are leading the way on electric car battery technology. Car companies like Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler are all planning to produce dozens of new e-car models in the near future, German media reports. The sale of electric cars is expected to rapidly rise. Mr Patel said the FEA was committed to helping Fiji achieve its goal of decreasing its carbon footprint. FEA also has plans to install charging ports throughout the country where electric vehicles could be charged. Mr Patel said it would provide incentives to entice people to invest in electric cars.

An electric car is not new to Fiji. Mark One Apparel managing director Mark Halabe was visiting Germany not long ago when he was attracted by the electric car. He found his dream electric BMW car, one of the first in Fiji, in Australia.

Imagine a Fiji running on cleaner energy as an alternative to fossil fuel. It will help keep our environment clean and green.

While the initial cost may be a discouragement, the long term economic benefits are limitless. When foreigners look for holiday destinations, they normally go to countries that have a clean environment.

Our clean, green image can become a major tourist attraction. It will also help us Fijians live a healthy lifestyle.

It will boost our livelihoods that are linked to our natural resources in our ocean and our land.

The benefits of cleaner energy far outweigh the costs.