THE Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is funding a study on the possibility of using electric buses (e-Buses) in Fiji.
And if everything falls in place, with an investment of $1.3 billion, 16,000 e-buses will be used in Fiji by 2030.
A consultant is now being sought to prepare the “E-bus Upscaling Initial Study.” The GGGI said in an advertisement that Fiji was aiming for a net-zero emission by 2050 and that the Climate Change Division had identified Electric Vehicle Network Development as a priority action.
“The capital investment over 2022-2023 is estimated at $US50m ($F109m) with a total requirement of $US590m ($F1.3bn) by 2030 to bring 16,000 e-vehicles and the corresponding required charging stations into Fiji by 2030 and establish a distributed e-vehicle charging network,” stated the GGGI advertisement.
“The transport sector of Fiji (land, marine, and domestic aviation) is the primary consumer of fossil fuels. Furthermore, fossil fuel imports in Fiji, for electricity and transportation purposes, result in the country being vulnerable to price and exchange rate fluctuations.
“An ageing existing fleet and the purchase of new ICE vehicles for the replacement of additional buses will lock Fiji into high-emission, polluting technologies for the next 15-20 years.
“The shift to electric vehicles complements Fiji’s commitment to reach 100 per cent renewable energy generation for the grid electricity sector by 2036.” The consultant will work with the Climate Change Division and Office of the Prime Minister.
“The consultant will report to the GGGI Pacific senior sustainable transport officer and will liaise with and work closely with the other relevant stakeholders in the transport sector.
The consultant will also select the most suitable routes for e-bus implementation in Fiji and determine the preferred routes for large-scale electric bus service within Viti Levu.
