by Linda Straker
- Government will charge 25% duties, taxes, and fees on hybrid vehicles
- Government will target 100% of all new vehicle purchases next year to be electric or hybrid
- 60,000 vehicles registered with Licencing Department
As part of its policy aimed at greening the transport sector in Grenada, Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall has announced that Government will remove all duties, taxes and fees on the importation of electric vehicles and all new vehicles that the Government will purchase as of 2024 will be powered by electricity.
“Mr Speaker, to further support the greening of the transport sector, we will remove all duties, taxes and fees on the importation of electric vehicles as well as charging stations. Furthermore, we will only charge 25% duties, taxes, and fees on hybrid vehicles, providing additional incentives for individuals and businesses,” Cornwall told the Parliament.
“Government will also lead by example in transitioning its existing fleet of vehicles to electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles. Accordingly, the Government will target 100% of all new vehicle purchases next year to be electric or hybrid,” he said while presenting the 2024 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.
Sharing more about the new vehicle policy, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, who is also Minister for Transportation, told Parliament that enforcing the new vehicle policy is just a start for Government in greening the transport sector. “Mr Speaker, the Transport Commission recognises that its work is not about bus routes and sticker licences. As a start, we have to invest and partner with the stakeholders to ensure that there is significant investment in the transportation system.”
“Private sector persons have already written to Government seeking to have electric charging stations…we now have to put the regulations in place, or the opportunity will be gone,” he said and explained that his Government is also reimagining the public transportation system in the island.
Currently, there are 60,000 vehicles registered with the Licencing Department, but public transportation is not a service or a project of Government. “The buses are all owned by private individuals; they receive no concession,” said the Transportation Minister, who announced that Government is currently engaging in discussion with the private transportation owners to improve services.
Enhancing Climate Resilience, Environmental Sustainability, and Renewable Energy is one of Government’s thematic areas for 2024. During the presentation of the 2024 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, Cornwall said the Government remains resolute in its commitment to combating climate change through its efforts, advocacy and strategic alliances.