We asked people whether they’re willing to ditch their cars for electric vehicles
Most people said that the reason they would switch to electric vehicles is for the benefit of the environment
Most people we asked outside the MCP car park in Valletta said that they were very willing to start using electric cars.
The reason most cited for this possible transition is the benefit of the environment.
A few responders said that they had already invested in hybrid cars but while most said that they were willing to make the switch, they also argued that there were still a few hurdles to be mounted. “We tried to get one a while ago but it’s still very expensive. What if the battery dies within five years? You’d need another €8,000,” one responder said.
Last week, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced that an inter-ministerial committee was currently discussing the transition to zero-emission vehicles during an e-mobility summit.
“We are ready for proposals on how we can make Malta one of the first EU states which has cars running on clean energy. This will create a unique testing bed for all those at this summit, especially service providers,” Muscat said, adding that the audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers was carrying out a study to establish a cut-off date for the transition to electric vehicles.
Most people during today’s vox pop seemed aware of the government subsidies surrounding the switch to an electric vehicle. A few said that the switch would not just benefit the environment but also their daily lives with less hassle queueing for petrol and diesel among other things. The environment, however, seemed to be a priority.
Currently, registered private companies are eligible to a maximum total grant of up to €200,000 on the purchase and registration of an electric vehicle.
A grant of €7,000 will be given to those registering a new electric vehicle while de-registering and scrapping another internal combustion engine propelled vehicle which is at least 10 years old from the year of its manufacture.
Source: maltatoday.com.mt
