Electric Cars

Tony’s Toys Automotive Centre 91 Sherwood Drive, Industrial Park Tel: (345) 946 8697 Email: customercare@tonystoys.net www.tonystoys.net An independent car dealer operating in the Cayman Islands for over 20 years, Tony’s Toys offers a wide range of pre-owned vehicles in various sizes, makes and models. Special orders are also available along with financing options to suit any budget and approval within 72 hours (terms and conditions apply). The Centre also services and repairs American, Japanese and

European vehicles. SEE AD PAGES 272 & 275

Vampt Motors 368 Walkers Road, George Town Tel: (345) 949 2245 Email: service@vamptmotors.com www.vamptmotors.com Vampt Motors sells second hand Toyota and Ford cars that were previously bought from them.

FREE ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING STATIONS

❑ The Kimpton Seafire Resort (SMB) ❑ Governors Square (WB) ❑ The Westin Grand Cayman Beach

Resort & Spa (SMB) ❑ Sunshine Suites Resort (SMB)

❑ Comfort Inn Suites (SMB)

❑ Camana Bay ❑ A.L. Thompson’s Home Store (GT) ❑ The Department of Immigration (GT) ❑ Foster’s (Airport Location) ❑ Foster’s (Camana Bay) ❑ The Crighton Building (GT) ❑ Grand Harbour (RB)

❑ Lornas Rubis Gas Station (BT)

❑ Wyndham Reef Resort (EE) ❑ Kaibo Restaurant Beach Bar and

Marina (RP) Electric vehicles are a common sight on Cayman’s roads and can be imported duty free as long as they are for personal use and valued up to CI$29,999. In addition, hybrid vehicles, for personal use, valued under CI$29,000, have a duty of 10% – substantially less that the average rate of 22% to 42% for regular gas and diesel powered vehicles. Electric vehicles can, on average, be driven for 200 miles on a single charge (assuming a 66kWh battery capacity and three miles/ kWh performance). This would, on the basis of the 1st January 2021 residential CUC rates, lead to an estimated cost of CI$14 per full charge.

CAR MAINTENANCE & REPAIR

The combination of the sun’s rays and Cayman’s salty air can be hard on your car, but fortunately road conditions in Cayman are much better than other Islands in the Caribbean. However, driving in Cayman is similar to city driving where you are stopping and starting constantly and that causes the most wear on your engine, suspension, brakes, battery and tyres. We recommend checking your tyre pressure and fluid levels monthly. Probably the worst thing that your car will face is the silent invisible rust maker, the salty air! If you plan on living on or near the water, your car will rust faster than normal if not taken care of. Getting your car undercarriage coated with a rust-proofing agent is also a very good idea. It costs roughly CI$250 (or CI$450 if you want the entire car done) and one coating properly maintained will indefinitely protect your car. Washing your car on a regular basis will also extend the life of your car.

The sun can also damage your car. You can help prevent damage by waxing it at least once every six months and a simple sunshade for your windshield will keep your car interior cooler and protect the dashboard from cracking. You may also want to invest in window tinting, but make sure you follow current regulations regarding the percentage of tinting you are allowed to use.

The following is a guideline on car maintenance and average costs, though the maintenance schedules vary by manufacturer and costs may increase if new parts are required:

> Every six months or 5,000 miles/7,500km a mid-service is recommended. This should cover almost all points on the car, as well as check your air conditioning filters, rotate the tyres and top up all of you car’s vital fluids (roughly CI$150). > A full service for your vehicle is recommended every two years, it includes all the above plus spark plugs, providing a complete check of your car. This service costs roughly about CI$400. It’s important to have your car serviced regularly to keep it running smoothly.

As a separate note, remember that in a hot climate like Cayman, the plastic interior in your car, such as dashboard and ducts, will heat up during the day and may release benzene, which is a known carcinogen, into your car. Remember to open the windows and allow your air conditioning to run for a moment, clearing the air before you close up the car and start driving.

The following are reliable car maintenance shops and dealerships:

Advance Automotive 113 Owen Roberts Drive, George Town Tel: (345) 945 9191 www.advancechevrolet.com

Arch Automotive & Goodyear Tyres 15 Portland Road, George Town Tel: (345) 949 8221 Authorised service centre for most makes and models of Audi and Volkswagen.

Automotive Art 480 Shedden Road, George Town Tel: (345) 949 7102 Email: service@autoart.ky

Car City 151 Industrial Way, Industrial Park Tel: (345) 949 0440 Email: sales@carcitycayman.com

G.T. Automotive 52 Godfrey Nixon Way, George Town Tel: (345) 945 3415 Email: c.gunby@gtauto.ky; p.smith@gtauto.ky or s.gunby@gtauto.ky www.bmw.com.ky or www.gtauto.ky Offers a fully equipped service department with qualified automotive technicians for BMW, Mini and Kia. Each service comes with a complimentary exterior body wash. SEE AD PAGE 266

Mercedes-Benz (Car City) 131 Industrial Way, Industrial Park Tel: (345) 949 0440 www.carcity.ky

Superior Auto 14 Sherwood Drive, George Town Tel: (345) 949 9570 Email: info@superiorautocayman.com

Tony’s Toys Automotive Centre 91 Sherwood Drive, Industrial Park Tel: (345) 946 8697 Email: service@tonystoys.net www.tonystoys.net Tony’s Toys is a full-service automotive garage and collision body shop with highly trained technicians who can diagnose, service and repair European, Japanese and American vehicles. Headlight restoration, brake rotor cutting, corrosion-free rustproofing treatments and vehicle window tinting can also be taken care of

at Tony’s Toys. SEE AD THIS PAGE & PAGE 272

Vampt Motors 368 Walkers Road, George Town Tel: (345) 949 2245 Email: service@vamptmotors.com

SEE AD PAGE 276

Tyres & Batteries Cayman Islands Government regulations state that your tyres must be in good condition when they are checked at your annual car inspection. They also stipulate that you cannot alternate brands of tyres as this could cause your car to drive erratically. Batteries generally have a life span of four to five years; depending on the weather conditions, vehicle type and driving habits. The following reliable tyre and battery shops offer new tyre sales and repairs, as well as battery tests and installation. For used tyres try Larry’s on Shedden Road.

Arch Automotive & Goodyear Tyres 15 Portland Road, George Town Tel: (345) 949 8221 Authorised dealer for Goodyear Tyres and a large selection of all tyre brands.

Automotive Art 480 Shedden Road, George Town Tel: (345) 949 7102 Email: service@autoart.ky

Tony’s Toys Automotive Centre 91 Sherwood Drive, Industrial Park Tel: (345) 946 8697 or (345) 623 8669 Email: parts@tonystoys.net www.tonystoys.net Tony’s Toys stocks a wide variety of batteries, vehicle parts and accessories at affordable prices. With over 2,000 tyres in inventory customers can choose from the top names in tyre brands. Special orders are also available.

SEE AD THIS PAGE & PAGE 272

FULL SERVICE GARAGE

MERCEDD BMW MINIS AUDI VOLVO RANGE ROVER

Vampt Motors 368 Walkers Road, George Town Tel: (345) 949 2245 Email: service@vamptmotors.com www.vamptmotors.com

SEE AD PAGE 276

Roadside Assistance Cayman does not have any dedicated roadside assistance providers such as the AA in the UK or the AAA in the US. However, some insurance providers will offer assistance as part of their coverage. Services often include battery jumpstarts, flat tyre change and towing. ICWI offers their customers 24-hour roadside assistance

#91 Sherwood Dr., Industrial Park

623-8669 / 946-8697

Car Cleaning The Auto Spa, on Godfrey Nixon Way, has recently installed new equipment for easy and efficient car washing. (Tel: (345) 943 1946). Detail Pros (www. detailpros.ky) is a reputable mobile vehicle detailing company. They charge CI$25 for a sedan and CI$35 for an SUV. Other options include Supa Shine (www. supashineautodetailing.com) and A & G Mobile Car Care (www.angmobilecarcare. com). You will also hear of numerous mobile car cleaners by word of mouth. Ask around about their reputation before reaching out to them.

Disposing of a Vehicle Before taking your vehicle to the George Town Landfill, you must terminate its licence at the DVDL. Fill out an ‘Application for Suspension/ Termination of Vehicle Licence’ form and present it to the DVDL along with photo ID and the vehicle’s registration certificate. There is a CI$25 termination fee and you will have to pay any additional back-duty if accrued. You will then be required to surrender your registration plates, log book and coupon to the DVDL. Although, if you are terminating your vehicle prior to the expiration date of your coupon you may get a refund. Once this process has been completed, the vehicle cannot be driven on the road. The Department of Environmental Health charges a CI$75 fee to remove a derelict vehicle from private property and dispose of it, otherwise have it towed and dropped off at the George Town Landfill at any point during its opening hours (7am-4pm Monday-Friday). You must be the registered owner of the vehicle to terminate it. In exceptional circumstances, another person can terminate the vehicle if the registered owner has given written authorisation in a sworn affidavit in the presence of a Licensing Officer, a Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public.

Transfer of Ownership In the unfortunate event that you are responsible for dealing with the vehicle of a person who has passed away, the following may be useful. Once a person is deceased, a death certificate or a notarized copy must be produced. If the spouse is seeking the transfer, then an original or notarized copy of the marriage certificate is required as well. If the person dies intestate (without a will), then a notarised letter or sworn Affidavit must be produced stating that there are no other interested parties, including a spouse or any children who would otherwise be entitled to the property. If there is a will with multiple trustees/ administrators, then a letter stating that there is no objection to the transfer of ownership must be signed by all with a witness. Note that the notary public must be the same across all documents requiring notarisation. For further guidance with this process, visit www.dvdl.gov.ky. Most people do not walk in Cayman, due to the heat and rain but partly also because roads have little or no footpath. Riding a bicycle is becoming more popular as cycle lanes are introduced.

Motorcycles There are roughly 400 motorcycles licensed for Cayman’s roads and their popularity is growing. To drive a motorbike over 125cc, you have to wait 12 months after getting your licence, then take a practical road test. This type of motorcycle also requires that the motorist be at least 19 years of age. Those holding a Learner’s Licence cannot carry a passenger and helmets must be worn at all times.

Automotive Art 480 Shedden Road, George Town Tel: (345) 949 7102 Email: marketing@automotiveart.com www.automotiveart.com

Cayman Custom Cycles 4 Dorcy Place, Dorcy Drive, Industrial Park Tel: (345) 945 7433 They run motorcycle and scooter riding instruction courses for Group 1 and Group 1A licensing plus tours of the Island on Harleys. They service and repair all makes and models of motorcycle, offer roadside assistance and they do custom paint jobs and powder coatings.

Center Lane Motors 170 Seymour Road (Dump Road) Industrial Park Tel: (345) 929 7172 www.centrelanemotors.ky They sell a wide range of American, Chinese, Korean and Italian made scooters, on/off road trails, cruisers amd sport bikes.

Scooter Rentals Scooters can be rented for approximately US$50 per day which includes insurance, free delivery and pick-up. On the Sister Islands, bicycles and scooters are a great way to explore.

Cayman Auto Rentals 135 North Church Street, George Town Tel: (345) 949 1013 Scooters can be rented for a daily rate of US$50 (US$45 plus CI$5 for insurance). They have a minimum age of 23 in order to ride.

Scooten! Scooters! Little Cayman (across from the airport) Tel: (345) 916 4971 www.scootenscooters.com They rent single Yamaha 50cc scooters for US$35 for three hours and US$50 for eight hours, with special weekly and monthly rates available. The rental cost includes a free tank of gas, helmet and free delivery and pick-up.

Bicycles Some people do ride bicycles to work or even use an electric bike. Bicycles and electronic bicycles are duty-free, making them a more attractive option. That said, there are very few designated cycle lanes on-Island (though the Esterley Tibbetts Highway does have cycle lanes from West Bay to the Britannia roundabout).

In an effort to improve awareness and

road safety, the National Roads Authority (SEE AD PAGE 265) has painted new symbols on some of the roads on Grand Cayman to indicate where the road is shared between bicyclists and motor vehicles. You will find the markings located on South Church Street by Paradise Restaurant and North Church Street by Delworth’s Esso. The shared lane markings, or sharrows, are either white or green symbols with two chevrons and a bike. As cycling is not as common as it is in, say the UK, drivers do not give cyclists due care and attention. In addition, Cayman does not have specific laws, such as minimum passing distances, to protect cyclists like other countries do. It cannot be stressed enough how vigilant cyclists need to be on Cayman roads. Bicycles are considered vehicles, therefore cycling into facing oncoming traffic is

illegal. Uncle Bill’s and Kirk Home Centre sell a good selection of bicycles, cycle helmets and bicycle equipment including lights. You may also want to register your bicycle with the police department. They will record your bicycle’s serial number and place a marking on it that is only visible under a UV light.

Another option for exploring by bicycle is bike sharing and rental. Cycle Cayman (www.cyclecayman.com) has eight stations: three in Camana Bay, one at Regatta Business Park, one in Cricket Square, one at the Government Administration Building, one at Dart Park and one at the Cayman Craft Market in George Town. Download the app, chose a plan, by the hour or by the month, and off you go. Paddle Wheel (www.paddlewheel. ky) offers bike rentals with half day, full day, three day and weekly rates. They also offer tours as well as bicycle maintenance and repair services.

Public Transport – Buses Cayman has a reasonably good public bus system. There are 11 bus routes and eight different coloured circles on the front and rear with a route number in the middle and ‘Public Bus’ written along the side. Be sure to check if the bus is en route to your destination before getting in. All routes run to and from the bus depot in George Town, where there is a Public Transport Inspector from 6am-7pm MondaySaturday (except for public holidays) to supervise all bus operations.

There are a few designated bus stops on the Island, but the best way to catch a bus is to simply wave one down from the side of the road. If you hear a bus beeping at you, it is the driver checking to see if you need to be picked up. Most buses carry between 14-29 passengers. The average fare is CI$2 per journey or CI$3.50 if you take a long trip such as George Town to East End or North Side. Anywhere beyond Hutland Road, such as Rum Point and Cayman Kai, will cost CI$8. The best routes for buses are on the main roads around retail areas and non-residential areas. There are also regular scheduled buses that run along South Church Street, South Sound Road, Walkers Road, Fairbanks Road, Industrial Park and Owen Roberts Drive. To view the bus route map visit www. caymanresident.com/live/transportation/ public-buses.

The Public Transport Board of the Cayman Islands has formulated a strategic plan that includes long-term, mid-term and short-term objectives for the Public Transport Unit (PTU). A set of goals have been established towards a better and more reliable public transportation system. These goals include: integrating existing infrastructure with advanced technology, ensuring there is professional leadership and adequate staffing, promoting/ inspiring the use of the bus system and making the route information easily accessible.

Public Transport – Taxis Taxis are also another option but they are more expensive than buses. You will find plenty of taxis at the airport, in George Town and parked at many of the major resorts along Seven Mile Beach. A reliable

taxi firm is A.A. Transportation Service, Tel: (345) 926 8294.

The Cayman Islands Government has created an app with a digital fare calculator, CI:GO. The aim is to ensure consistent and transparent pricing for taxi fares by setting standard prices for routes. The app allows passengers to plug in their route, the number of passengers and see what the fare should cost in both US and Caymanian dollars. It also allows users to input how many pieces of luggage a visitor has. There is a sliding scale of price increases for journeys of five passengers or more. The CI:GO app is available for free in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

New to the Cayman market is Flex, an Uber-style app from local entrepreneurs Alex Cowan and Rachel Smyth. The app allows users to share rides, use GPS to track their journey and make sure they are travelling the best possible route. Visit www.flex.ky for more information.THE Tell them you saw it in the