Lyna Mohamad
The Electric Vehicle Joint Task Force (EVJTF) was established in line with the third strategy in the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy to significantly reduce fuel consumptions and subsequently lower the greenhouse gas emissions from the sector.
It also aims to ensure a whole-of-nation approach in introducing, developing and implementing policies, while supporting the setting up of EV’s infrastructures as well as addressing the challenges and opportunities of EVs at the national level.
This was said by Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport) at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) Haji Mohd Salihin bin Haji Aspar during his presentation at the Electric Vehicle Session during the second day of the Climate Action Week of the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2022 (Brunei MYCE 2022) yesterday.
The taskforce, co-chaired by the MTIC and Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), comprises government agencies, authorities, private sectors and NGOs.
The acting deputy permanent secretary shared that on March 25 last year, a two-year Pilot Project on EVs was successfully launched aimed at raising public awareness on EV usage so Brunei can achieve 60 per cent of EVs share in the total annual sales by 2035.
Themed ‘Driving towards a Greener Nation’, the EV Pilot Project is set with the objectives to increase the awareness of the advancement of vehicle technology through the use of EV’s and assess feasibility of EV sales in the domestic market.
“It also served to understand the public’s needs towards the transition from ICEV to EV and analyse and evaluate data collected during the pilot project relating to the needs and infrastructure of EVs in the country.
“Currently, the country is still developing its EV policies and regulations to be deployed in the near future. A shift towards vehicle electrification remains a feasible path for Brunei in the long-term process.
“The EVJTF Roadmap will involve pilot project review, adoption of policies for mass deployment and capacity building programmes next year. There is also the expansion of charging infrastructure in phases and upgrade of power grid infrastructure in 2024 while in 2025 it will involve expansion and upgrade to fast/rapid charging system and review of policy and KPI performance,” he said.
Haji Mohd Salihin also highlighted the challenges of EVs – high prices, limited models, and inadequate rapid charging infrastructure and consumer acceptance.
The session also saw a seminar on EV, moderated by Head of Social and Public Policy Unit of the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies Dr Azrinah binti Haji Abdul Rahman.
Panellists included Haji Mohd Salihin, Technical and Warranty Manager of Boustead Sdn Bhd Ho Wei Kong, Brunei Automobile Traders Association (BATA) representative Dr Supry bin Haji Ladi and Head of Support Service Division at Berakas Power Company Haji Suharafadzil bin Haji Yusop, discussed the importance of EV for future climate and how Brunei can commit towards green transportation for better future.
