Transport Malta deploys 13 electric vehicles in port areas

Transport Malta has deployed thirteen full electric vehicles as part of its general fleet ranging from crew and panel vans, passenger vehicles and quadricycles.

The vehicles are used as part of enforcement, maintenance and courier duties carried out by the Authority. Transport Malta also installed a Photovoltaic Plant at the Malta Transport Centre covering a surface area of 1,290 square metres.

These initiatives have been implemented as part of an EU funded project entitled PORT-PVEV which has been co-financed at a rate of 85% through the Operational Programme Italy-Malta 2007-2013.  The project, led by Transport Malta, brought together the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure, the Port Authority of Catania and the Province of Caltanissetta. 

Through the project, the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure installed three solar electric car charging stations at Ċirkewwa ferry terminal, Ta’ Xbiex Marina and Deep Water Quay car park. The solar charging stations provide direct sun-to-car electricity through the solar power produced on site which is stored in on site 24kWh lithium-ion batteries. 

Through inverters, the battery transfers electricity to charging electric vehicles.  Any extra electricity is absorbed by the grid.  The solar car charging stations are able to produce over 3000 charging events per annum at full carbon neutrality.

Through these initiatives over 200 tonnes of CO2 emissions are saved annually from Maltese port areas.