The SWITCH Network (SWITCH) launched a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Hub at the Kundan Singh Complex in Suva today – one of many planned charging hubs that will connect Nadi and Suva with the goal of covering Viti Levu (Phase 1) as part of the company’s growing contribution to Fiji’s efforts to transition to a blue-green economy.
Its first EV Charging Station with one charger was established as a pilot at Mana Café in Suva in May this year, and the second receiving final approvals this week.
SWITCH was established in 2021 with the aim of developing a renewable energy-based transport ecosystem in Fiji that aligns with Fiji’s wider development ambitions and the target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are duty exempt in Fiji and easily sourced on the second-hand Japanese market that already supplies most cars in Fiji and the Pacific region.
Recognising that deploying EV charging infrastructure in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with a limited base of EV users is challenging, SWITCH is developing a green mobility system where it works with public, community and private partners to develop integrated solutions through “green mobility hubs” – the next part of the scaling.
Of encouragement to Fijians wishing to procure vehicles, SWITCH opens up the duty exempt EV market by ensuring development of a charger network that will allow seamless, cost-effective, and carbon-neutral transport across Fiji.
The approach is modular and scalable and can be deployed in towns and communities of any size, including in remote island communities with high dependency on fossil fuels.
This network is being developed by SWITCH through its own investments and with support from a 2022 Blue Accelerator Grant Scheme (BAGS) which is being implemented by the Drua Incubator at Fiji’s Ministry of Economy in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The BAGS Grant is designed to support the development, piloting, and bringing to market, new products, services, and business models that could catalyse commercially viable blue economy activities in Fiji.
ABOUT SWITCH
The SWITCH Network was established to deliver green transportation solutions in Fiji by implementing public fast charging infrastructure throughout the country’s major travel routes and aiding businesses and individuals in making the shift to low-emission transportation.
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