As part of the Government of Bermuda's Energy Transition Projects, which include the transition of the Public Bus Fleet to zero-emission vehicles, the Ministry of Transport recently hosted an E-Mobility Summit. The Department of Energy and RMI facilitated the virtual event for local and regional stakeholders from the public and private sectors on 22 September, 2021.
There were a total of 86 stakeholders, 25 moderators and panellists who attended. The panel of local, regional and international speakers gave presentations that explored the global and regional landscapes of zero-emission mobility and the opportunities these create for Bermuda.
Minister of Transport, Hon. Lawrence Scott, JP, MP, opened the Summit by stating, "We are looking proactively to the future and are open to receiving any recommendations from the public on motivating Bermuda to go electric. We know that customers have questions, and there is hesitation when it comes to moving toward electric vehicles. We understand the need to share with the public the positives of switching to electric vehicles, like low maintenance, battery warranty and animproved range compared to the earlier generation vehicles.
"We are currently reviewing our legislation and considering relaxing size and power to weight ratio's for electric vehicles on the island. As a start, we invited the motor car dealers to share feedback on the models of cars available outside the current statutory limits and provide their suggestions for any changes they would like to see. "
Minister Scott added, "This is also the time for entrepreneurs to consider the options and opportunities in transitioning to electric vehicles. Our goal is not to be restrictive but to be as broad as possible and consider all opportunities. Bermuda's economic recovery is an overarching theme of this year's Throne Speech, which includes developing electric recharging stations for vehicles. We need to consider the future and a new way of thinking about what Bermuda will look like 15 years from now."
Representative stakeholders participated in the one-day Summit from the United Nations, CARICOM, the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda, Bermuda Automobile Distributors Association, Bermuda Taxi Owners Association, Bermuda Business Development Agency, Bermuda College, BELCo and the Ministries of Transport, Public Works and Home Affairs as well as members of the public and private sectors.
During the Summit, six sessions covered topics focused on transitioning Bermuda to a zero-emissions transportation system (marine and air travel excluded).
The Session topics were;
o 1. Electric Technology and Advancement and Market Trajectory -https://youtu.be/zcugy1C7m2k
o 2. Keynote Address - the Minister of Transport, the Hon. Lawrence Scott, JP, MP https://youtu.be/eWyJVYVmW70
o 3. Policy and Regulatory Actions Taken https://youtu.be/0n9iyh0hHV8
o 4. Environmental and Ecological Impacts https://youtu.be/uhimoP2aIvI
o 5&6 - Demand Signal Consumer Commitments / Supply Side Vehicle Availability https://youtu.be/LdpGpnUI1vk
o 7. Enabling Infrastructure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLic2BpJUlM
o 8. Closing Remarks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky0FzmoZBj8
The public is invited to view the sessions listed on Bermuda Government's CITV YouTube page www.youtube.com/user/citvbermuda or access the video links to the sessions listed.
The electric recharging stations initiative is one of the 31 priority projects in the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP). For more information on this strategy or any of the other 31 Policies outlined in Bermuda's Economic Recovery Plan, please visit https://www.gov.bm/economicrecovery-updates.