More Electric Vehicles for Jamaica says JEVA President

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

#Jamaica, November 11, 2023 – Jamaica must find a way to better accelerate the amount of electric cars to cater to reaching sustainable energy goals.  This was highlighted by Andrew Jackson, President of the Jamaica Electric Vehicles Association (JEVA) as he pointed out that the adoption of electric vehicles in the country is “at best disappointing.”

In fact, Jackson informed  that the number of electric vehicles on the road currently is probably less than 500 compared to about 50,000 cars added yearly.

Finding a way to increase the number of electric cars on the road, he expressed, is crucial, adding that it is the duty of JEVA.

The JEVA president continued to highlight how amazing the development of solar and electric technologies in Jamaica are, emphasizing the need for the island to quickly shift to using these kinds of technologies.

“The advancement in solar and electric vehicle technologies is a Godsend for Jamaica.”

He continued to point out how much more efficient and environmentally friendly these technologies are, hence the need to adopt them.

“One single  solar panel, 500 watts, can produce as much energy as one barrel of oil (without pollution), and the solar panel will keep producing and producing, possibly for the next 20 years,” he maintained, reiterating that the country must find a way to make the technologies more embedded in society.

In going more into the need for an increase in the use of solar energy, Jackson said a country like Jamaica and the rest of the region that heavily relies on imported oil, should be excited for solar technology, adding that the region has an abundance of sunshine.

He continued to speak to Jamaica’s oil usage statistics to again emphasize the need for change.

“Jamaica for example uses approximately 10 million barrels of oil per year, which costs about 30 percent of our budget.” He added that half of the oil goes to the mobility sector which includes cars, buses and trucks.

Jackson was speaking at the Opening Session of the 8th Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum on November 7th, 2023.