Ghana, according to the Minister for Energy, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, is currently drafting a policy on the usage of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.
The draft policy document expected to be ready by the end of this year, the Minister notes, will look at providing the framework to guide the mass adoption of EVs in the country.
“As we look towards the mass adoption of electric vehicles, we would have to conduct a study on its impact on the national grid, and not only the load on the national grid but other factors like where the cars would be recharged. We have our agencies looking into the technical regulations before the adoption and I have asked them to let us have a draft policy by the end of the year so that we can re-examine it and present it before cabinet for approval,” said the Minister.
Some key stakeholders such as the Energy Commission and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) are expected to make inputs in the drafting of the policy.
Inputs to be made by the aforementioned key stakeholders will border around; the impact of EVs on the national grid, the billing regime, possible government subsidies, provision and standardization of ancillary systems among others.
The move comes on the back of recent developments in adoption of EVs around the globe and also in Ghana with the introduction of EVs like the Hyundai Kona, which was recently presented to the Ministry of Energy.
Dr Opoku-Prempeh in an interview addressing concerns that the global push towards environment-friendly vehicles, especially electric cars would have an adverse effect on the finances of nation’s which are largely dependent on receipts from the export of fossil fuels, noted the state is working to have a balance that takes environmental pollution, economic trade-offs and potential gains from health into consideration.
“We saw the President reiterate our commitment to having an energy mix with a minimum of 10 percent of renewable energy by 2030, as we are well aware of the benefits of cleaner energy sources. So this will be done taking into consideration how it impacts other aspects of our economy and we will plan and act accordingly,” he stated.
Further calling for circumspection in the speed at which EVs and similar technologies are adopted in the country with regards to existing technical and financial constraints.
Already, African countries such as Kenya, has led the way in the adoption of electric vehicles for use by its citizens on the continent.
The drive in the adoption of EVs in Kenya is being championed by the State-owned electricity transmission and distribution company, Kenya Power.
