Transport Malta has acquired 13 new electric vehicles and has also installed PV panels on its facilities to power them, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said yesterday.
The fleet is being used by the transport watchdog to carry out enforcement, maintenance and courier deliveries.
During a visit to the Transport Malta head office, Mr Mizzi said the authorities were promoting the use of electric cars and, as announced in the Budget, those who buy an electric car would be given a grant of €7,000. Those purchasing used electric vehicles would receive a grant of €4,000.
The minister was accompanied by the Italian Secretary of State for European Affairs, Sandro Gozi, and Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg.
Mr Mizzi explained that a study on the use of electric vehicles and charging facilities in harbours was being carried out jointly with Italy through the project PORT-PVEV.
The project by Transport Malta, the Transport Ministry, the Port Authority of Catania and the Province of Caltanissetta was implemented between 2012 and 2015, with an 85 per cent co-financing rate supplied through the OP Italy-Malta 2007-2013.
The main objective of the project was to show that ports and port areas could reduce their carbon emissions
The main objective of the project was to show that ports and port areas could reduce their carbon emissions and move away from dependence on non-renewable energy sources, Mr Mizzi said.
PORT-PVEV was spearheaded by Malta National Electromobility Platform coordinator Peter Paul Barbara, who said a study on the feasibility of using electric vehicles and charging facilities in Maltese harbours had also been carried out.
The minister then accompanied Dr Gozi to Ta’ Xbiex where one of three solar car charging stations had been installed. They rode in the BMW i3, the latest addition to the watchdog’s fleet, which could be fully charged in less than half an hour and could cover a distance of 190 kilometres with a single charge.
The two other charging stations are found at the Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal and the Deep Water Quay Car Park in Marsa.
The PV panels found in every station produced 17,000kWh every year. This is stored in a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery found at every station. The system automatically shifts to the electricity grid if the supply is depleted while a vehicle is charging.