Electric cars mooted – The National

Heavy traffic around Waigani in the National Capital District. The introduction of electric vehicles in the country will reduce greenhouse gas emissions but a policy is needed to regulate its use in the country. – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

ELECTRIC vehicles can be used as an alternative mode of transportation in the country as a means of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, an official says.
Department of Transport secretary Roy Mumu said the country’s energy sector accounted for 80.5 per cent and the transport sub-sector contributed about 23 per cent in the overall GHG emissions in 2017.
“There has been an increase in the number of vehicles from 155,000 in 2005 to an estimated 600,000 by 2030 and the transport sector’s emissions are expected to double over the next two decades,” he said.
“Therefore, it is mandatory to take bold and decisive action to address the environmental challenges through increased use of renewables and reducing fuel consumption in the transportation sector, including the introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles.
“Embracing electric vehicles represents the transition to cleaner energy and carbon neutrality in the transport sector.”
Mumu made these remarks at a consultation workshop on electric mobility in PNG held in Port Moresby yesterday.
The workshop, which was part of the US$449,598 (about K1.7 million) Green Climate Fund project set for an 18-month implementation period starting this year is called “Promoting Electric Mobility in Papua New Guinea”.
The workshop allowed for discussions to promote the adoption of electric mobility solutions in the country between the Department of Transport, Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), Green Global Growth Institute and other stakeholders.
CCDA acting managing director Debra Sungi said the regulation and use of electric vehicles in the country would require the development of a policy framework.
“PNG does not manufacture vehicles so we have to ensure that this framework is in place to allow for the import of electric vehicles.
“Most of our vehicles are coming in from Japan and as per their nationally determined contributions, they are going into decarbonisation by 2050 by producing more electric vehicles.
“We need to move with the change that is happening in the world and ensure that a policy framework is in place for us to be ready,” she said.