Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1465732
MALTA has pledged carbon neutrality by the end of 2050. The switch towards electric ve- hicles (EVs) will play a crucial role in achieving this goal. We have observed that the rate of adoption of electric passenger vehicles has increased these past years. As of March 2022, Malta has 6,000 registered electric vehi- cles on its road, a far cry from the 2,000 vehicles registered just two years before. This is thanks to the government's commitment to incentivise the uptake of electric cars through a series of measures, one of which is a substantial grant for individuals and companies who want to scrap their current car and purchase a Battery Electric Vehicle. Up until a few years ago, the main concerns for car owners purchasing an EV were price and driving range. Subsidising purchases of EVs will only do so much to get Malta to move away from conventional, fos- sil fuel-powered cars. Today, not having adequate charging infrastructure to support the shift towards electrification, is one defying factor in the pur- chase of EVs. Since 2021, we have prior- itized the increase in the avail- ability of this infrastructure, with the aim of enacting vast networks of publicly accessi- ble charging infrastructure. Through an investment of €3 million, from the existing 102 charging points, the amount of charging infrastructure in Malta more than tripled to 362 charging points in 70 localities; 44 of which are the first fast chargers to be introduced in Malta. Improving infrastructure to support EVs is just as im- portant as getting customers to buy them. For this reason, public chargers will support ad-hoc charging and an in- stant payment system without pre-established contracts or monthly service fees. The sys- tem is being managed by a pri- vate operator through a mobile application; "Charge my Ride", which is compatible with both iOS and Android phones. With a user-friendly design, a pay-as-you-go service with no subscription fees, a simplified registration process and an ac- tive charging pillar network map, this new system aims at making it easier for EV owners to find a charging pillar in their vicinity. Further information on the use of the mobile app and corresponding rates can be found on the website www. chargemyride.mt. In its first six months of use, the Charge my Ride system registered around 1,700 new users and more than 8,000 charges across the islands. This is tangible proof that change is happening, and that fur- ther investment is needed to strengthen the public's confi- dence in EV uptake. In parallel, Malta's first Na- tional Policy and Regulation for Electric Vehicle Public Charg- ing Infrastructure is aimed at opening the market to private investment for public charg- ing infrastructure accessible to the general public. Through a liberalised market, Charging Pillar Operators (CPO) will no longer need bilateral agree- ments with other operators. Instead, a centralised system will bring together a platform of operators competing for the unit costs of their electricity. To incentivize this, new com- petitive electricity rates for electric vehicle users have been launched using a system of on and off-peak hours, for both residential and non-residential charging. Not only will EV own- ers pay less to charge their EV, but also benefit from one of the cheapest EV tariffs in Europe, as such they will also be reduc- ing unnecessary pressures on the grid. This new system will help us achieve our targets by emphasising the shift towards a competitive market whilst harmonising payment systems with minimum requirements I strongly believe that we can- not stop here. Now that we have triggered the momentum to shift our transport sector to- wards electromobility, we must continue to invest in this tran- sition. The government is com- mitted to a long-term, holistic vision on charging infrastruc- ture addressing citizens and enterprises alike. Over the next years, through national and EU funds, the Ministry for Environment, En- ergy and Enterprise will be in- stalling a further 1,200 charg- ing points, resulting in more than 750 charging pillars by 2024. Private companies will also be able to benefit from tax credits of up to 50% on the pur- chase of EVs, up to €50,000, as well as a no-interest loan from the Malta Development Bank for the investment in charging infrastructure. Apart from the public infra- structural improvements and incentives available, there are other considerations which cannot be overlooked. One of which is the need for increase of private charging infrastruc- ture in commercial areas. This rapid transition would enable a faster route towards accessibility to charge infra- structure while enabling Malta to be on the forefront of the European electromobility tran- sition. As the demand for the use of EVs is rising, we need a qualified workforce to handle EV repairs and adequate repair facilities which cater for both EVs and ICE vehicles. Electro- mobility can no longer be pur- sued in isolation. We need academia, private investors, industry and govern- ment alike to play their part in facilitating this shift. Electric vehicles can and should be the way forward for Malta's trans- port sector. Now that the Government is actively working towards this change, it is time for you, as an individual and as a busi- nessperson to also make this positive transition. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 APRIL 2022 OPINION 13 Miriam Dalli is Minister for the environment, energy and enterprise Shaping the island's charging EV infrastructure Miriam Dalli