Energy Commission engages stakeholders to draft regulatory framework for Electric Vehicles in Ghana

The Energy Commission, as part of efforts to create standards and sustainable electric vehicles (EV) regime in the country, is holding a stakeholder forum to draft a policy document to streamline the sector.

The objectives of the regulations are to enforce the adopted standards as well as ensure conformity with international standards and regulations in the global EV market, establish the requisite legal and regulatory framework for conformity, ensure compatibility, and guard against factors that affect the safety of users of electric vehicles.

The Energy Commission on the `Drive Electric Initiative` in 2019, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy introduced electric vehicles in Ghana.

This was an effort to increase sustainable demand, usher in an era of green and sustainable technology for the future and help to deal with environmental pollution as the vehicular population grows.

The accessibility of charging stations in suitable locations across Ghana is a major factor that will motivate and incentivize people to use electric vehicles in Ghana.

With the development of the EV policy document, the baseline report, and the adoption of EV charging standards, the Energy Commission in line with its mandate, commenced processes to draft EV charging and battery swap regulations.

The initiative to draft regulations that will streamline the sector’s activities, provide legal backing to the standards adopted for Ghana, and facilitate the deployment of EV Infrastructure, business, and technology.

The forum was for stakeholders from the energy, petroleum, oil, and gas sectors, automobile companies, the private sector, and other international agencies to share and discuss relevant ideas regarding policy documents for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

The various inputs made by industry players in the forum will serve as a draft for the regulatory document, which will streamline the sector’s activities and provide legal backing to the standards adopted for Ghana`s electric vehicles sector.

The Assistant Manager in charge of Energy Efficiency and coordinator of the Drive Electric Initiative from the Energy Commission, Doris Agbevivi, said most of the charging stations will be led by the private sector, and the Commission has to set up regulations to streamline them.

“The regulation is not to deter Ghanaians from exploring the electric vehicle sector but rather bring standards to manage the sector,” she said.

The country director of the France Agency for Development Clementine Dardy encouraged that issues about sustainable environment and management of electronic waste should be incorporated into the regulatory framework of the EV charging infrastructure.

She added that the country needs to take into consideration the policies that works for the country to prevent the country being used as dumping sites for combustible vehicles.

The Deputy Director in charge of Energy Efficiency at the Ministry of Energy, Dr. Robert Sogbdji, said certified electricians should be used to install the charging stations to avert electrical fire.

The forum was supported by Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) with funding from the European Union (EU) under the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Energy Finance (SUNREF) program in line with supporting green infrastructure, productive and efficient use of electricity while supporting the sustainable and green evolution of Ghana.

The Union committed 50,000 Euros to support the development of EV charging and battery swap regulations by the Energy Commission under the Drive Electric Initiative.

BY KINGSLEY ADUSEI-AMAKYE ONUA TV/3NEWS

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