Brunei launches electric vehicle pilot project

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): The Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Brunei Climate Change Secretariat (BCCS) officially launched the Electric Vehicle (EV) Pilot Project on Thursday (March 25) at Bridex Hall 2, Jerudong.

Themed ‘Driving Towards a Greener Nation’, the project will run for two years and aimed at achieving the objectives of ‘Strategy 3: Electric Vehicle’ under the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP).

The project will provide exposure to the use of EV, its advantages and charging stations.

It also serves to study and identify the public’s perception and response towards EV as a shift towards vehicles powered by alternative energy assess the marketability and the preparedness of potential users in the country.

It also aims to evaluate the needs and infrastructure related to EVs and other alternatives to be implemented by 2035.

Co-chairpersons of Brunei Darussalam National Council on Climate Change (BNCCC) Minister of Development Suhaimi Gafar and Minister of Energy Mat Suny Mohd Hussein officiated the launch.

An exhibition of EVs is currently being held until March 28. It is open to the public from 9.30-11.30am and 2.30-9pm as well as 10am-9pm this weekend.

The exhibition also features a showcase of EVs and alternative-energy vehicles by car dealers in the country, exhibition by the oil and gas industry, technology companies and finance firms.

A line up of programmes include a mini symposium involving government agencies from within and outside the country as well as the Brunei Automobile Traders Association (BATA). It will discuss initiatives and plans for EVs as well as best practices from abroad.

Visitors can participate in test drives of EVs, virtual reality (VR) activities, quizzes and games to win the grand prize of an electric scooter.

The exhibition is supported by non-governmental agencies and associations such as Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd (BSM), BATA and Brunei Insurance and Takaful Association (BITA).

In conjunction with the launch, it was announced that vehicle licences (VLs) for any EVs involved or otherwise in the project are exempt from payment until a later establishment of the VL rate for EVs, based on electric motor power.

This was highlighted by Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Abdul Mutalib Mohd Yusof.

The minister also encouraged members of the public to visit the exhibition.

“We very much welcome public feedback for the use of the agencies and companies involved, to assist in the general and comprehensive EV policy review as well as the marketing surveys of the companies involved, ” he said. - Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network