Environment minister announces ambitious electric transport goals

Malta’s motorists are to benefit from dynamic road signs, road flooding alerts and automated urban traffic management by 2020, according to Leo Brincat, Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change.

Speaking at a conference on Innovative Mobility and the future of traffic management in Malta, organised by the Malta Chamber of Commerce Enterprise and Industry, Minister Brincat praised the government’s efforts to organise “the electrification of Maltese transport”.

In his opening speech, David G. Curmi, President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry had made no effort to gloss over the current unsatisfactory situation of Maltese transport, attributing it to ill-planned roads and roadworks, poor law enforcement and "a lack of plausible alternatives" to private vehicles running on fossil fuels. Curmi explained that today's conference was intended to address these issues.

Today, Brincat announced the government's target of having 5000 electric vehicles on the roads by 2020, part of its electromobility action plan for both public and private transport. “Innovative mobility is no longer an option, it has become a must," he added.

The project is to be financed using national, EU-ERDF funds as well as private investment.

Those disappointed with the current public transport options will be pleased to hear that the minister announced that “the government is also assessing the potential of other mass transit systems such as light rail, monorail and other related services”.

Noting the harmful effects of particulate emissions by transport on both public health and the environment, the minister said that electric vehicles will skirt around these problems. He conceded, however, that the increased load on power stations will cause these plants to create more emissions.

Brincat highlighted the cost benefits of running electric vehicles, commenting that “the recent announcement that off-peak power rates are being considered will make vehicle recharging even cheaper.” He expressed hopes that the high initial cost of electric vehicles, in spite of tax breaks and subsidies will be at least partially offset by manufacturers selling the vehicle while leasing the battery and urged the commercial sector to offer attractive solutions to the public.

Brincat encouraged governments, private sector stakeholders, eNGOs and civil society to “rise to the occasion and overcome this uphill struggle”.

“Not only can we succeed, but we must ensure that we do so”.