An MoU has been signed between the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to utilise a grant of USD389,000 to procure more electric vehicle (EV) taxis and establish charging stations.
The 'Integrated, Sustainable and Low Emission Transport in the Maldives' project is being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment with the grant assistance of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to establish environmentally friendly and sustainable transport systems in the island nation.
The grant assistance under the project is for the purchase of electric taxis and establishment of charging stations.
Speaking after signing the MoU, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim said the increase in electric taxis is important for the future of Maldives, adding that the initiative will also reduce air pollution.
“This is very important for the Greater Male’ area. Further studies are being conducted and more work will be done,” he said.
The Minister said the government is also working to monitor air quality, adding that the relevant equipment is being installed around the capital Male’ region.
The government has handed over the project to introduce a taxi line in the Male’ region to the state-owned Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Plc (MTCC).
According to the government, the taxi line will use 100 percent environmentally friendly, EV taxis.
Speaking after signing the MoU, Minister of Transport and Civil Mohamed Ameen admitted that the transportation system in the country has a number of challenges.
Electric vehicles, the Minister said, have been earmarked as a major solution to such challenges.
“This will be immensely convenient for the public. Easier on the environment and out assessments show that the number of vehicles will be reduced,” he said.
The decision by the government to introduce its own taxi line comes at the back of mounting complaints of poor quality, high taxi fares and unavailability of taxis in the capital Malé region.