COLE BAY- Electrically-driven cars (EVs) are increasingly commonplace in Europe and the USA, but in St. Maarten the concept is still new, yet the electric car revolution has arrived, changing the way we drive for a practical, more cost effective and environmentally-friendly future.
Leave it to Motorworld to put on a show of all shows, in a follow-up to its last show featuring the launch of Chinese auto brand Changan. For this “EV Experience” and test drive event last Friday, EV models were displayed in Motorworld’s spacious, well-lit showroom with guests and potential buyers, inspecting the models. Sales assistants were on hand to explain the features of each model. Needless to say, the features accompanying each model elicited the wow factor, even more so after a test drive. Imagine automatic gull wing doors opening with the press of a button, 360 degree cameras, sophisticated security features, and much more.
Around a dozen EV brands, including Hyundai, Nevo and Deepal (from Changan), Aion Hyptec (the luxury line of GAC), and Riddara (China’s number one pick-up brand), were showcased. The pick-up truck has the ability to “discharge” its own electricity to power up any appliances or devices.
These brands are available in four options to satisfy customer tastes : Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)-- a combination of gasoline and battery system--Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREV) and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), fully electric only.
The battery range for the HEV is very short (1-2K), the Plug-In Hybrid PHEV 50 to 120K, Extended Range EV 100-200K, and the fully electric BEV 250-600K
Interesting to note that all the EVs on display were actually “on”, yet there was no sound coming from the vehicles; zero emissions.
“This is a major step forward for Motorworld and St. Maarten” said Motorworld Managing Director Tariq Amjad. “When you go to Europe now, all you see is electric vehicles.”
According to Amjad, St. Maarten has one of the worst carbon emissions in the world and is number one in the Caribbean for carbon emissions.
“This was a study actually presented to Parliament in 2021. We have tons of traffic, cruise ships that burn the worst fuel, airplanes, there’s no recycling, there’s no solar, no wind (turbines). Every island does some sort of sustainable energy production, but we do zero.
“Cars are the main contributors of carbon emissions worldwide. One of the best ways to clean the air is to go the electric vehicle route. That’s the decision we made to bring in EVs. Some people say EVs are too sophisticated but we have models that charge the battery from a 110 or 220 volt household socket. It’s so simple.”
Asked about the absence of public charging stations on the island Amjad said he is already lobbying the government on the subject. “Public chargers are super-fast but these cars you can charge them once every two weeks, paying as little as $30 a month or 20 euros on the French side. It’s a huge saving on fuel for buyers. And consider the saving on maintenance, no filters to change, no oil changes. Your maintenance costs will drop by 60%”.
Amjad added the batteries are long lasting and importantly, two EV technicians are fully trained with the tools and equipment necessary. They have been trained with Ford, Hyundai and Changan. In about three months a third technician will be brought in, a Master EV Technician from the Philippines.
The price of the EVs range from US$29,990 to the most expensive models at US$55,000 and several have been sold already. For more technical information on the range of EVs, visit Motorworld.
Motorworld Managing Director Tariq Amjad (left) with Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina at the EV Experience (Robert Luckock photo)
