Electric vehicles policy to be ready by the end of 2021 – Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh

The minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has announced a policy framework that will guide the mass deployment of electric vehicles in the country.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh revealed that key Stakeholders such as the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Energy Commission will be drafting a document that will be submitted to cabinet for approval by the end of 2021. The document will include the policy framework and the technical regulations that will guide the mass deployment of electric vehicles in the country.

According to the United States Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), Electric vehicles (EVs) are vehicles that have an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. Electric vehicles batteries are charged by plugging the vehicle into an electric power source.

“Ghana will adopt and adapt in the mass deployment to fit into the country’s system. Electric vehicles offer enormous benefits with regard to health and economic growth. The vehicles will cut down on carbon emissions drastically and support significant climate change initiatives,” Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh stated.

The policy framework according to the energy minister is expected to “cover the importation of the vehicles and their ancillary systems.” He said before Ghana can fully adopt electric vehicles, “the impact on the national grid has to be critically taken into consideration”.

Given the several power challenges, will Ghana be able to fully adopt electric vehicles? How much will vehicle owners pay after charging their vehicles? These are questions the policy framework seeks to answer.

Read Next:

• Merge your SSNIT and Ghana card before December 31 or forfeit your entire pension benefits- SSNIT tells contributors
• GhIPSS raising awareness for the adoption of GhQR at selected Malls in Ghana