Gov’t to implement ‘no import tax’ policy for hybrid vehicles and clean energy systems
Premier Andrew Fahie has announced that hybrid vehicles and other environmentally-friendly systems will not attract any taxes when they are imported into the territory.
Hybrid vehicles are effectively powered by combining a petrol/diesel engine with an electric motor. This type of vehicle, therefore, consumes less fuel and cause fewer carbon emissions than the conventional petrol or diesel-engined vehicle currently driven in the BVI.
Speaking the House of Assembly this week, the Premier said this soon-to-be-implemented policy on imports is one of the incentives that will be given to facilitate the process of the BVI going ‘green’.
He said: “A package of incentives is being worked on which would feature zero tax on the import of clean energy systems such as solar and wind power generation equipment and hybrid vehicles”.
“This will reduce the BVI’s carbon footprint, harness our renewable resources, and save citizens and the government millions of dollars that are presently being spent on imported fossil fuels,” Fahie added.
“Additionally, the potential exists for citizens who generate their own electricity to earn money by selling excess power back to the power grid. We will also explore options for encouraging motorists to switch from the traditional petrol and diesel to liquified petroleum gas which is a lot cheaper and more environmentally friendly,” he further said.
We are serious
The Premier said he has been advised by his team of technocrats that the BVI can be 60 percent green by the year 2030.
While what he described as the “technical details” are being worked out, Fahie said a pilot installation of a solar energy system at the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) building in East End will provide valuable information for the establishment of the framework.
“As you can see, your government has set ambitious targets for converting our energy consumption to sustainable renewable energy. There is significant interest from the private sector in this area, and many proposals and partnerships are being considered,” he stated.
The Premier said in the coming year; the government will be embarking on several renewable energy projects that will set this territory on the road to green and sustainable energy production.
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Churches have big roofs. Most tythe their congregations. If they were to install solar panels on their roofs and sell back to the BVIEC the considerable surplus power that they generate during most of the week, they would be both helping preserve our planet and helping the community in so many ways: ducing the BVIEC’s costs for fuel,further capital investment and it’s ability to provide power during peak periods. Most of our churches are also used as emergancy shelters., so they would have power.
I too would finally like to see some “Tangible” benifits from the church in the community…..
How many solor panels were left in tacked after Irma? I would thing you can count on one hand. So you will not have power.
You do know solar panels are detachable and can be taking off in the even of a storm right. It’s a seamless procedure that doesn’t take to long.
All of my solar panels survived items and Maria. We had clean power without interruption after the storms. If installed properly they will survive.
Very important stuff here. I hope that fully electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Teslas will also be tax-exempt.
Rechargeable batteries should also be included as their use will reduce toxic items being sent to landfill/incineration. I hope this bill is huge and encompasses an enormous range of products that are proven to help us get to a greener place.
If those in power seek to reduce carbon emissions should not they quiet thy fire at the dump?
This is really going green. Great initiative.
Good idea. I’d love to see the exemption extended to solar systems for homes, or possibly some kind of offset credit so you could claim it back against BVIEC in exchange for feeding a certain amount of electricity back into the grid.
Why go green if you are going to promote drag racing in the territory? really?
Give the drag racers their track. Hit them with the same pollution reduction policies. That takes care of that AND the fact that the rest of us would have a bit less of a chance to meet our makers on the regular roads.
Check the 0-62 times And power curves for EVs… kill any drag car on island with ease.
Yes Mr Premier, the BVI going green ; but WHO will benefit from this tax break? NOT the average “ small man “ because WE can’t and won’t be able to afford HYBRID autos . The people who can afford will get the breaks ; same as after IRMA , who had insurance and means to import benefitted . Prophecy being fulfilled “ THE RICH WILL BECOME RICHER and THE B LITTLE THAT THE POOR HAS , SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY “ ??
if you can afford to buy a regular car away and import it you can definitely afford a hybrid vehicle lmao
@ what They are buying Japanese cars for $1500.00 and have to pay $3000.00 to get it here
Know what you are talking
you paying under $5000 to buy and bring in a vehicle and you still want a break?
This is great news!!! Awaiting the amendment to The Customs law
Breaking the silence.
If our people are not playing a major role in this industry, we will still be eating the crumbs from the table. In real time, my brother has set up his company to play a major role in this industry in our territory and is being dismissed and ignored, just like Mr. H. Creque, for whoever is already playing politics in the space. Let it be known right now, our people will not be used, dismissed, nor ignored any longer. If the game is not played with some level of balanced, it will be played by any means necessary. Mark these words.
Same for the cannabis industry. If the same people, our brothers and sisters, who have paid their dues for years, being imprisoned by our legal systems over the many years for a natural plant, do not play a major role in this industry when it becomes legalized, there will be a revolution. Mark these words. Enough is Enough. There are a different breed of Virgin Islands who have been educating themselves, both in the zinc fence academies and in the systems’ institutions of higher learning, and are very aware of the different programming of our people. The spoon feeding is over. The time for true progress has come.
Some of you don’t need representing. This is a new initiative by the government that is great. Give it time to formulate. In the meantime stop fussing over foolishness and start to get yourself as well as companies ready to move in when the opportunity comes.
Thanks for the response, although you too start out your comment as part of the same negative energy which has been stagnating our territory for years.
Some of us are fully aware of how politics is played in our territory and it is of high importance to bring in the awareness of accountability.
Some of us do not entertain fear whether on these blogs or in person and will keep any public figure who needs pulling up accountable. We will not be silence by the so called- chosen few who feel everyone should live by their standards (inner circles) and as such, others are locked out of opportunities in our territories. We will make sure those days are behind us moving forward. We must play a major role in our rebuilding and development, and we will not entertain nor accept being told how we are not capable any long. A different breed of Virgin Islanders are on the scene now. We will not be denied. Period!
@changing paradigms. Thanks for the response, although you too started out your comment as part of the same negative energy which has been stagnating our territory for years. We are aware there are some who can’t help themselves with that type of negative polarity.
Some of us are fully aware of how politics is played in our territory and it is of high importance to bring in the awareness of accountability.
Some of us do not entertain fear whether on these blogs or in person and will keep any public figure who needs pulling up accountable. We will not be silence by the so called- chosen few who feel everyone should live by their standards (inner circles) and as such, others are locked out of opportunities in our territories. We will make sure those days are behind us moving forward. We must play a major role in our rebuilding and development, and we will not entertain nor accept being told how we are not capable anymore. A different breed of Virgin Islanders are on the scene now. We will not be denied. Period!
Good, I’m buying a Tesla.
Good luck with a electric car in the salt air.
Some of you are thick. The batteries don’t last and will get burned. And where does our electricity come from? diesel
If you really want to make a difference, we need proper public transportation, ride sharing, less vehicles on the roads, etc
What about full electric vehicles?
As “Really” stated, electric cars in BVI are not green since we burn oil to create the electricity.
If you have a home with solar or wind power that would work as you could power your car too. It’s not like we have far to drive.
so if we had these vehicle when hurricane Irma hit us,and no current how would we have charge them. ONLY A QUESTION.
If it is a hybrid it still has the regular gasoline or diesel engine as the main driving engine. if it was full electric maybe a generator could charge the car.
Someone will have to install the infrastructure for these electric cars. High speed chargers are not cheap
I’ve run an electric car here in the bvi for over 2 years. no emissions, no noise, no oil used, no servicing, powers easily up Tortola hills. comfortable, stylish, well-accessorised. battery lasts at least ten years, charges by plugging into the house electrics. before the incredible rise in electricity costs, we ran it for $20/month. there are quite a few electric cars on Tortola, some of which have been happily running here for 6 or 7 years. there’s also at least one that I know of on VG. many models are no more expensive to buy than a gas-guzzler, and hopefully more folks will buy electric cars when they’re included in the “no import tax” policy. they certainly are a “clean energy system”.
How white of you for that nice info..thanks.
Where else in the the world a there getting duty free on these types of vehicles.
First stop burning plastic,batteries, etc producing toxic smoke west of Pockwood pond. That would be a much better contribution to fresh air.