OUR seeks Public Feedback on Proposals for Electric Vehicle (EV) Regulatory Framework

 (KINGSTON, Jamaica; 2021 June 9):  The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) invites comments on its stakeholder Consultation Document regarding Electric Vehicles (EVs) titled: “Proposals For A Regulatory Framework To Facilitate The Penetration Of Electric Vehicles In Jamaica.”

The EV Consultation Document is the outcome of a study by an OUR Working Group. The Working Group, which was established in 2019 July, carried out international research regarding the issues that would need to be resolved for a viable and sustainable EV market in Jamaica. Among these are the regulatory and policy actions required to facilitate and support the uptake of EVs as well as the obstacles for Government resolution.

The document also highlights, among other things:

• Some advantages and barriers to EV ownership;
• Considerations for business models for EV charging infrastructure;
• Considerations for amendments to Electricity sector legislation and policy to accommodate entrepreneurship;
• Economic and environmental benefits from large scale EV usage;
• Potential impact of EV charging on the  electricity grid;
• Proposed incentives to increase EV ownership.

Stakeholder feedback is expected to contribute significantly to the OUR’s recommendations to the Government of Jamaica regarding its initiative to increase the number of persons who purchase electric vehicles. The deadline for responses to OUR’s Electric Vehicle Consultation Document is 2021 June 22.

To facilitate increased public awareness of EVs and generate discussion, the OUR will host a webinar to highlight aspects of its proposals, as well as to explain various aspects of the stakeholder Consultation Document. The panelists are OUR’s Electricity Generation Consultant, Val Fagan; Regulatory Engineer, André Lindsay and Legal Counsel, Nicole Morgan. 

The livestreamed event is scheduled for Wednesday, 2021 June 9, at 1 pm, on OUR’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Members of the public are invited to attend.