Brunei Darussalam does not need to be a ‘hero’ in achieving high electric vehicle (EV) ownership, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah said during the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
The minister was responding to the question raised by LegCo member Yang Berhormat Chong Chin Yee on the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP) which targets 60 per cent of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2035. However, only 19 EVs were registered in 2023.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew shared that up to date, there are 136 EVs registered in Brunei Darussalam. He added, “Although the result has not been encouraging, the aim of the strategy (BNCCP) is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We also see that there is also reduction of internal combustion engine vehicles.” The minister added that EV adoption remains limited due to Brunei’s relatively low fuel prices, which do not provide significant cost-saving incentives for consumers.
“We must also be reminded that outside of the country, EVs face many challenges. We need to take time to study from other countries. We must learn from the challenges faced by other countries so we can implement EV strategies properly when the time comes,” the minister said. – James Kon
