In December 2020, the Government of Maldives updated its nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement and committed to reduce 26% of emissions by 2030 and further strive to achieve net-zero emissions with support and assistance from the international community.
As per UNSD Energy Balance database, road transport accounted for 31% of energy usage in 2019, second only to electricity generation, which accounted for 34%.
Exploring transport solutions
Transition to electric vehicles coupled with charging from renewable sources of electricity generation is one of the most promising pathways to reduce emissions in both road transport and electricity generation sectors.
The challenge
Of the 131,000 vehicles registered (land use) in Maldives, Electric Vehicles (EVs) constitute 4%, largely in the tricycles and e-bicycles segments. Two-wheeler motorcycles (>50cc category) account for 80% of the registered vehicle stock with tremendous potential for EV transition in Maldives.
Despite having customs duties advantages of up to 150% for imported electric motorcycles and cars over their fossil fuel counterparts, islands like Male, Hulhumale, Addu etc. have witnessed limited EV penetration among their resident populations.
In the capital city of Male, owners of motorcycles and cars face unique challenges for adopting electric vehicles. These include:
- Parking constraints is one of the principal bottlenecks in the city; vehicle owners typically park their vehicles along the streets next to footpaths because of space constraints inside residential high-rise buildings.
- Parking constraints coupled with lack of EV charging outlets co-located near existing parking spaces is the most significant barrier for EV transition.
In this context, Male city will need a novel EV charging equipment/solution that can be optimized for parking space constraints and integrated into existing parking spaces. A spatial planning (optimal numbers and locations) of EV charging infrastructure is the need of the hour with inputs from urban planning experts, architects, EV charging and solar integration specialists and other stakeholders.
EVs have various advantages over their fossil fuel counterparts in terms of lower life cycle costs, noiseless commutes, pollution free riding zones, zero tailpipe emissions, convenience of charging at parking spaces etc.
Partners
Ernst & Young, in association CDE consulting, the World Bank Group and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology has launched a consumer survey comprising of multiple-choice questions seeking to understand vehicle ownership, location, gender, vintage, distance travelled in kilometres, EV purchase and charging preferences, adoption scenarios and general awareness about micro-mobility solutions for first/last mile connectivity.
The Survey
The responses from this survey will be analysed anonymously to inform the assessment of EV transition potential among private motor vehicle owners, challenges, and action plan for supporting the transition along with impact on electrical grid of individual island systems.
The survey can be accessed at the following links:
Click here to take the survey in English
Click here to take the survey in Dhivehi
Alternatively, the QR code can be used to access the survey:
Scan below for English version
Scan below for Dhivehi version
If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, or if you would like more information, you can contact Ifaad Waheed at ifaad.waheed@environment.gov.mv or Aaron Cherian at aaron.cherian@in.ey.com or Hana Saeed at hana@cde.com.mv.