More Fijians make transition to EVs
Agrowing number of Fijians are “excited to get their hands on” electric vehicles (EVs) as demand continue to surge across the country this year.
When looking at the reasons behind the uptake, the current importation of EVs by commercial businesses and individuals relate to the rising petrol costs, resulted in the increase in demand amidst the cost of living crunch.
In the past four months, motor vehicle companies, hotels, individuals and now a diplomat also transited in importing an EV.
In a bid to create environmentally friendly and cost-effective transport, the British High Commissioner Dr Brian Jones has brought in a 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 SUV.
The Volkswagen ID.4 SUV is the second model of electric cars under the Volkswagen ID Series, which can drive up to 250 miles on a railway road.
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa received its first EV last Friday as part of the hotel group’s commitment in reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly practices across its properties. So far, FNPF-owned IHG Fiji Hotels
& Resorts have purchased three fully electric vehicles.
LTA
The Land Transport Authority chief executive officer, Irimaia Rokosawa said Electric Vehicles fall under the definition of motor vehicles and the same set of safety, design, emission and compliance standards are applicable to them as conventional vehicles.
Mr Rokosawa said the secondhand vehicles imported from Japan, Australia and New Zealand including EVs require pre-shipment vehicle inspection by the Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre (JEVIC). Brand new electric vehicles can be imported without a pre-shipment vehicle inspection agency from JEVIC.
He said customers could always contact Standards and Engineering Department on sne@lta.com.fj and get prior verification on EVs they want to import.
Switch network
The Switch Network owner, Alex Reddaway has been on the forefront of importing EVs in Fiji through a Chinese distributor Skywell. Mr Reddaway has so far imported 20 EVs of which three were 8-15 seater vans.
The Fiji National University purchased a 14-seater van and Yatu Lau
Arts bought an eight-seater van.
He currently has a 15-seater EV in his fleet, which he aims to introduce to the Viti-Mini operators in the Suva-Nausori corridor.
“The target is to make a transition from petrol powered vehicles to electric powered and for that, we need to test these vehicles on the road together with the chargers we have available,” he said.
Accessible and reliable charging points are also key to the future of EVs in the country and fuel supplier TotalEnergies has begun to install EV chargers for motorists considering a transition.