According to recent statistics, the number of vehicles on the road has increased again. This is rather alarming, knowing that Malta is so small in comparison to other countries, where the infrastructure allows for a smooth flow of traffic and an increase in cars does not cause havoc.

It is incredible that the Maltese people last year opted to purchase just 30 electric vehicles (EVs). Hardly a successful introduction of EVs to Malta. And, to tell the truth, it is not clear to me which vehicles the statistics were referring to. Are they the hospital runabouts, the Valletta taxis or are they actually vehicles belonging to private individuals who have taken the plunge? Do these statistics include the motor scooters that were recently imported by a daring entrepreneur? I should think so as these are registered as vehicles as well. Do they also incorporate EVs that are suitable only for mobility- impaired persons?

When will we be presented with a measure attractive enough to entice us to change our driving patterns? Why is the government not doing more to introduce EVs instead of cynically propelling the “old” machine to flourish further on our roads?

Something is fishy here and it is all going the wrong way. EVs have been introduced in other parts of the world and they are proving successful. Why not in Malta?