Zero-emission vehicles a popular choice since concessions granted

One of this country’s leading automobile dealers is reporting an overwhelming demand for electric vehicles since a VAT holiday on them came into effect at the start of April this year.

Regional Product Manager at Courtesy Garage Samuel Gaston revealed that the Wildey, St Michael company had sold all of its zero-emissions vehicles less than a month after the concessions started.

Furthermore, he said there was an “extreme waiting list” for future shipments of the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Kona, which are currently imported by Courtesy, along with a myriad of inquiries about adding other EV models to the fleet.

“Within a month when the measures took effect, we sold 100 per cent of what was on the ground,” Gaston told Barbados TODAY.

“We have always had electric vehicles high on our agenda, but there was always a challenge with the pricing of the vehicles because the prices of those vehicles naturally are higher than the naturally aspirated vehicles.

“So with our duty structure, when you add that on, it really made it a bit inhibitive to some people. What the changes have done is to increase the appetite of the consumer, and we have to go through the manufacturer to get more supply to meet the demand,” Gaston explained.

The Nissan Leaf, which previously retailed at $120,000, was reduced to $92,000, and the price of the Hyundai Kota fell from $103,000 to $85,000.

But there are concerns about whether Barbados’ goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 is totally in line with the global automobile agenda.

Gaston explained that electric vehicles catering to working-class families or consumers looking for commercial vehicles, SUVs and pickup trucks are not yet on the market, though manufacturers have promised to move in that direction.

He added that not every vehicle featured on the international market is approved for local importation, making the journey toward full electric vehicles even more complex.

“I think it will be a bit of a challenge,” Gaston said of the 2030 target, “not because Barbados itself doesn’t want to achieve it, but because the international supply of electric vehicles across the whole gambit of vehicles available to the market is not there at this point.

“I think maybe in another ten years it will be a lot simpler to sell people an electric vehicle as the technology will improve and get better, and people will understand it much more,” he added.

The product manager lauded the recent inclusion of hybrid vehicles in the bracket to benefit from the concessions.

“I think it will have some effect on reaching the ultimate goal of going totally green,” said Gaston.

“Some people who are on the fence right now who are checking the technology and the information, who want to change their car but they’re not sure right now if they want to go the full way, the hybrid will fill that gap.

“I do think it is good that we have set a goal because it gives us something to go after, and if we hadn’t set a goal, we would’ve taken our good, cool time,” he added.
(KS)