Energy Commission test drives electric vehicle

The Energy Commission has taken delivery of a new electric vehicle to test-drive and assess its performance, suitability and provide feedback to the suppliers.

The vehicle, which runs exclusively on electricity and without an engine, was manufactured by Wuling Automobile Industry Company Limited.

The vehicle, Great Wall ORA Black Cat EV, was presented by Egle Motors Company Limited, sole representatives of the brand, to support the commission’s Drive Electric Initiative (DEI) to promote electric vehicles in the country.

The Sales Manager of Egle Motors, Mr. Joseph Laryea, presented the vehicle to the Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer.

Sustainable technology

Addressing the media at the presentation ceremony last Thursday at the office of the commission in Accra, the Director in charge of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the commission, Mr. Kofi Agyarko, said DEI was intended to usher in an era of green and sustainable technology for the future.

He stated that the objective of the initiative was to create productive demand in order to utilise the country’s electricity productively, usher in an era of green and sustainable technology for the future and reduce pollution.

He said it was also to contribute to efforts towards climate action while helping to resolve the electricity generation over-capacity in the short to medium term.

Charging stations

The Project Coordinator in charge of the Drive Electric Initiative at the commission, Ms. Doris Agbevivi, said since the launch of DEI, the country could boast of more than five charging stations, driven by the private sector, and an increased number of e-vehicles.
She said the private sector had and would continue to be instrumental in this initiative.

She said the commission sought to develop standards and regulations for charging stations in the country to create an enabling environment for the private sector to participate as charging station operators.

The commission also seeks to engage private sector and other government stakeholders to promote EVs by hosting a series of consultative stakeholder meetings to bring together individuals and companies that could buy into the initiative and encourage them to be the early adopters of this initiative.

Ms. Agbevivi said one of such stakeholders gathering was the first ever E-mobility Conference and exhibition to be held on September 23.

Public awareness

For his part, Mr. Laryea stated that the donation was to help create public awareness by serving as a moving billboard that would sensitise the market and promote the use of the vehicles in the country.