eMobility

eMOBILITY

24 October 2019

Believing in Sustainable Transport For eight consecutive years, the Government has presented a budget with the aim of introducing countless benefits and measures for the people. For the fifth consecutive year, the Government has presented a budget with a surplus. For the third consecutive year, the Government has presented a tax-free budget.

Minister Ian Borg writes.

And for some years now, we have made sure to include a number of measures that foster our vision for a sustainable and forward-looking transport sector. It would be both naive and irresponsible to think that we could achieve a positive transport culture shift through any single endeavour; it must be a multitude of different initiatives that bring us to our desired destination.

We are aware that we have a very car-dependent culture and we understand that circumstances don’t always allow individuals to leave their cars behind.

That is why one of the first steps towards a sustainable transport culture was to incentivize the switch from polluting vehicles to cleaner and more sustainable ones.

In just 2019, the Government invested €2.5 million in 6 different incentives, from which 1,870 people benefitted. These included 239 people who invested in smaller means of transport, such as pedelecs, mopeds and electric motorcycles.

And we are very pleased to be able to say that the people have responded very well to our initiatives promoting electric vehicles. With a total investment of €2 million over two years, our roads now have hundreds of new electric vehicles which have taken the place of older polluting ICE vehicles. Last year, this financial incentive was coupled with an exemption from the payment of registration tax.

This year we are going a step further. Not only is Budget 2020 increasing investment in these intiatives from €2.5 million to €3.6 million, not only is the exemption from registration tax being kept, but Government is also introducing subsidised electric rates for people charging electric vehicles at home, while carrying on with the installation of charging infrastructure around the island.

However, while we know and understand the importance of e-mobility, we also acknowledge that the move towards sustainable transport must be a healthy mix of alternatives.

Having said this, a total move towards a more sustainable transport sector requires a high quality and sustainable public transport service. Even in this sector, our continuous investments in both the service and facilities as well as multiple incentives have led to record-breaking increases in public transport usage. At the end of 2018, we had almost 54 million passenger trips, a figure that registers a 60% increase from 2011, and this year’s trend shows a further increase in public transport usage.

And we are not yet satisfied with the achievements we have made thus far; we know there is more to be done, and we are adamant on doing it.

This year, the operator invested €9 million in 40

This year we are going a step further. Not only is Budget 2020 increasing investment in these intiatives from €2.5 million to €3.6 million, not only is the exemption from registration tax being kept, but Government is also introducing subsidised electric rates for people charging electric vehicles at home, while carrying on with the installation of charging infrastructure around the island. more sustainable and more accessible buses while Government continues to complement this with further investments in routes and commodites. All buses now have free Wi-Fi installed and, to date, 30 new more comfortable bus shelters have been installed around the island and another 225 metre shelter is currently being installed in St James Ditch at the Valletta terminus, with an investment of €400,000.

We are certain that together with these improvements, our incentives have also helped. This year, more than 35,600 youths aged 14 to 20 and full-

time students have made use of public transport for free, making 5.6 million trips, which registers as 13% of the total trips made throughout the year.

Budget 2020 will once again give this benefit to these youths, while introducing the same incentives for every elderly person aged 75 or older, with 19,000 potential beneficiaries. We are also working to introduce free public transport for persons with disability by the end of this year.

We have also supported the introduction of various new concepts that are being offered on a nationwide basis – car pooling, car sharing and the new concept of the e-kickscooters amongst others – all of these services or means of transport are actively contributing towards making the right move towards an alternative means of transport that is cleaner and more beneficial for our environment.

To support the move towards alternative, cleaner means, the Government is also making unprecedented investment in the country’s road infrastructure. We believe that our road network needs a holistic revamp and most importantly we know that an upgrade does not only have to include more efficient and safer roads for traditional vehicles, but our roads must support the efficient flow of our alternative means including our bus network and the introduction of multiple safe facilities for alternative means in our arterial roads.

We have invested in the right infrastructure in various road projects to support these alternative means – segregated lanes in Taċ Ċawsli, a new pavement in Tal Balal and Triq Ħal Luqa together with investment in various charging points in Malta and Gozo. Budget 2020 also puts special emphasis on this aspect of our infrastructural commitments. 2020 will see further work on the pedestrian and cycling bridges planned for Luqa, Corradino and Blata l-Bajda, while other cycling and pedestrian facilities will be introduced in major projects such as the Marsa Junction Project, the Central Link Project and the Msida Creek Project.

And our focus is not limited to alternative means on the road. We are aware of the increasing popularity of the ferry services. After implementing extensive improvements to the Marsamxett landing site, 2020 will see further improvements to other existing landing sites together with studies on new landing sites in places such as Marsaxlokk, Marsascala and Mellieħa.

Our vision for the transport sector is wide and holistic, and we believe this is the only way we can move forward if we truly want our country to continue growing sustainably. Budget 2020 is one that focuses on several different aspects of life in Malta, but sustainability is among the topmost priorities put forward by the financial plan for the coming year.

It is our responsibility and our privilege to be able to work hard towards a better future, towards improved air quality, towards a greener and more sustainable country to leave to future generations.

Budget 2020 continues paving the way forward in this direction. We remain committed to implement it.

Ian Borg is Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects

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eMOBILITY

Pedelecs: The electric bikes Climate change is a popular topic these days and for good reason. Transport is one of the main contributors to carbon emissions year after year, especially in Malta, where each household owns more than one vehicle. You want to contribute in reducing the carbon footprint, you feel like you ought to do something to help revert the catastrophic consequences of climate change, then opting for a more sustainable transport would surely be a good initiative.

You can even be more selfish, let’s say you don’t care about the World’s climate.

Sustainable transport can still be a good alternative for you, if you are fed up of being stuck in traffic, if you are terrified of the prospect of trying to find a parking slot next to that dreaded meeting in Sliema and even maybe if you’ve been looking at the mirror lately and would like to punch that protruding tummy back to where it came from.

For both the eco warriors and the possibly less empathic meeting goers, a pedelec can be a solution for their troubles. A pedelec is an electric bicycle. It assists the rider’s pedalling through a small and impressively powerful electric motor.

The pedelec does not burn any fuel and barely uses up any electricity to charge. The act of pedalling itself recharges the electric motor, so the eco-warriors can be appeased. It is also a very effective mode of transport, especially considering Malta’s overall short distances. The pedelec is a parking dream, no going round the same block again and again to look for that coveted spot. The electric motor means that you will not have to work out hard to make it to your destination, so even the meeting-goers can be appeased.

Most pedelecs have different settings, basically a threshold to tell the motor when to kick in and assist you with your pedalling, so your commute depends on your athletic prowess and on how much you decide to work out on that day. You can easily head to work or a meeting on mostly motor power to make sure you do not sweat on your way there. Then, switch off

the motor completely to have a good cardio work out on your way back home, sparing you some time at the gym and maximising the use of your time, turning your commuting time into a work out time for the good of your health and let’s face it, your looks. So the pedelec can appease even those inclined towards a healthier lifestyle.

A number would claim the high price of electric bikes as a major detractor. True, most electric bikes are way more expensive than your average, traditional bike however their price compares quite well with a new motorbike and as more models become available and as more people decide to take the leap, prices are getting more within reach. The Government is giving a €400 grant for the purchase of an electric bike and a €2,500 grant for the purchase of cargo e-bikes. What’s more, electric bikes are becoming quite the status symbol in some areas, particularly with millennials.

Cargo bikes are gaining traction as a goto method of transport for goods delivery services in a number of major cities in Europe. We can only hope that more firms start using them here in Malta as well, since they would be ideal for deliveries of goods in narrow streets and village cores.

The next issue that usually crops up is road safety. How safe is it to ride a bike?

There are a number of safety issues, of course but with some attention and by picking the right routes, these issues can be greatly minimised. Of course we recommend that any cyclist uses the appropriate safety gear. A helmet and the appropriate light at night are a must.

Gloves and a high visibility vest can help as well. The former to avoid serious scratches should you tumble, as the hands are usually your first line of defence against the abrasive asphalt. The latter to help drivers spot you on the road and avoid accidents.

Then as a motorist we suggest a number of tips to make life easier and safer for cyclists. We recommend to reduce your speed to no more than 30 Km per hour, ideally to 20 km per hour, if the road is narrow, when sharing the road with a cyclist. You should also keep your eyes open and observe the mirrors to monitor for the road alongside the vehicles.

Make sure to change lanes and overtake cyclists only when the lane is wide enough for the manoeuvre, ideally leave a distance of at least 1.5m. Never overtake a cyclist before a corner, since the cyclist might easily get trapped. Cyclists can use the full lane when approaching junctions, when using roundabouts and when travelling along parked cars, so please be patient and courteous.

One day you’ll hopefully be the one grateful to courteous drivers. Commuting with a bike is no longer such a far fetched concept. The technology is improving and we are seeing an unprecedented investment both in cycling and e-mobility infrastructure. Most new road projects, both small and major include cycling lanes and a number of rural roads are being geared to be more favourable for cyclists.

Transport Malta is also installing more charging pillars across Malta.

Happy Cycling.

eMOBILITY

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eMOBILITY

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eMOBILITY

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eMOBILITY

E-Mobility: The innovative electric cars and plug-in hybrid of BMW Driving a car from the BMW Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) range means that you will be driving with intelligence. The PHEV models take the best of BMW’s combustion engines and combine it with the modern battery technology along with an electric motor. This results to a BMW with two power sources.

Moreover, it is a totally responsive drive, with zero emissions while using the electric motor. One can opt to drive in pure electric mode disabling the use of combustion engine.

Reaching new heights with great efficiency: An extremely efficient Drive concept is a hallmark of the plug-in hybrid. This basically consists of a combustion engine at the front of the vehicle and an electric motor at the back.

Depending on the situation and the charge level of the high-voltage battery, both are capable of powering the plug-in hybrid either individually or together.

As well as the Driving Experience Control switch, with its SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO settings, drivers will also find an eDrive button at their disposal, which lets them tailor the BMW eDrive system’s operation even more precisely to the journey ahead through three driving modes: AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and BATTERY CONTROL. BMW’s lithium-ion battery life differ depending on the nature and driving style of the driver.

However, with BMW Efficient Dynamics and different driving models, such as the before

mentioned eDrive, you will always get the optimum combination of responsiveness and fuel consumption. On short trips up to 66 Kilometres, the BMW Plug-in Hybrid are powered completely by their electric engines; on longer trips, fuel consumption varies depending on the model type and total distance travelled.

BMW i models BMW i is a comprehensive concept for sustainable and futureoriented mobility. It stands for visionary electric vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design and a new understanding of premium, which is strongly defined by sustainability and inspires with innovative vehicles: with the all-electric BMW i3 as a consistently sustainably designed emission-free vehicle for urban traffic and the BMW i8 Roadster and i8 Coupé as the sports car of the future.

The driving experience in the BMW i models has played no small

part in the growing appeal and popularity of electric mobility.

Following systematic refinement, the BMW eDrive technology aboard the new BMW i3 and new BMW i3s enables drivers to enjoy locally emission-free mobility with wonderfully instantaneous power delivery, efficient use of energy and an optimised range for a level of everyday practicality that even extends beyond the demands of purely urban travel.

This car’s architecture was designed from the ground up with electric mobility in mind. And its BMW eDrive technology boasts power delivery and efficiency unrivalled by any other manufacturer. All of which makes the BMW i3 a proposition as forward-looking as it is attractive.

Combining the latest technological

innovations with an evolutionary development of the car’s design and the expansion of the model range has provided additional impetus for BMW’s now familiar take on premium electric mobility.

The character profiles of the new BMW i3 and new BMW i3s are focused more keenly than ever on driving pleasure, which gives them all the ingredients required to strengthen their leading position and write the next chapter in the BMW i success story.

The BMW i and Plug-in Hybrid range represents a leap in modern mobility, and delivers tomorrow’s driving experience, today.

Visit our BMW showroom located in Rue D’Argens, Gzira to discover our models or give us a call on 2326 4509.

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eMOBILITY

What are the main environmental problems associated with the current trends in transport?

ERA’s air monitoring network acts as a solid evidence base, whereby long term trends provide valuable information on the status of air quality in the Maltese Islands, and how this changes throughout the years. Following a national reform in the power generation sector, road transport remains the main challenge the country is facing.

Whilst concentrations of sulphur dioxide and benzene have steadily reduced throughout the years, levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides still seem to pose a challenge. The traffic site in Msida in fact registers higher levels of these pollutants compared to the other sites in Attard, Zejtun and Gharb.

Emissions from the maritime sector are also picking up importance locally and internationally. Existing legislation on the use of cleaner fuel in this sector will impose stricter requirements as from 2020, thus we expect some improvement in this area. ERA is also investing in additional monitoring capabilities to better understand to what extent emissions from ships contribute to local air quality. In the coming months an extensive monitoring exercise will commence downwind from the Grand Harbour, taking into consideration any seasonal variations.

Why is there a need for the shift from conventionally fuelled vehicles to electric vehicles in terms of production and uptake ?

Transport plays a major role in the improvement of every modern society as a means for economic development and a prerequisite for achieving social and regional cohesion. The transport sector is particularly important as it is a crucial aspect of competitiveness of the domestic economy, provides access to services to its citizens, and has to fit in the most complex constraints of space and population density of any European Union (EU) Member State.

Transport, however, is at a crossroads. Old challenges remain but new ones have arisen.

Although the future prosperity of our country will depend on its ability to remain fully and competitively integrated through efficient transport, the sector adversely affects both the natural and built

environment and all its components. So whilst improvement in engine types and fuel consumption has happened over time to

Photo by Alenka Falzon

enhance transport’s environmental performance (in terms of making it cleaner and more energy efficient) increased volumes mean it remains a major source of noise and local air pollution, particularly because local transport still depends on oil and oil products for the majority of its energy needs.

On a global scale, the impacts of climate change on the populations and the environment are being given higher importance in view that existing trends are not sustainable. To this end, many countries have set very ambitious targets for the reduction of emissions form industry, transport and other contributors which need to be addressed.

Since transport is one of the major contributors to Climate Change, many vehicle manufacturers are now investing in research, development and production of vehicles utilising alternative fuels.

Thus we are now seeing an increase in the types of vehicles which are available for purchase and use, especially since many countries have opted to set cut-off dates for the production and importation of vehicles using internal combustion engines.

Towards the end of 2017, the Maltese Government decided that a cut-off date for the importation and registration of conventionally fuelled vehicles on the Maltese Territory needed to be established.

Conventionally fuelled vehicles are defined in the 2011 EU White Paper on transport, namely, vehicles using non-hybrid, internal combustion engines (ICE). This is similar to what other EU Countries are doing with respect to the phasing out of conventionally fuelled vehicles. It is to be noted that the Malta National Transport Strategy (NTS) and the Malta National Transport Master plan already includes indicative targets of the phasing out of conventionally fuelled vehicles on Maltese roads.

The benefits of adopting a different modal choice for travel The benefits are undoubtedly related to environmental and health effects. Choosing alternative modes of transport reduces congestion, which in turn leads to a reduction in emissions to air, and noise levels. Walking and cycling can also reap benefits both mentally and physically. In fact Malta is also experiencing changes in its road infrastructure to gradually accommodate such modal shifts.

Measures could help in improving air quality and environmental effects in general As indicated earlier on, the air quality monitoring network managed by ERA clearly shows that road transport is the major challenge the country is currently facing with respect to air quality. Undoubtedly, the priority in terms of measures to curb emissions to air need to be taken in this area.

However we cannot ignore other contributors to air pollution. As an example, Malta has recently experienced the shift from heavy fuel oil to natural gas in power generation, and this has resulted in a reduction in emissions in sulphur dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Other industrial sectors are also being addressed through an environmental permitting regime whereby emission limit values (ELVs) for specific sectors set in legislation are being implemented. In cases where ELVs are not set, ERA strives to ensure that the industry concerned adopts operational practices which are conducive to improvement and abatement of emissions to air.

ERA, in collaboration with other authorities remains committed to implement and adopt measures aimed at addressing air quality.

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eMOBILITY

We can get there Forrmer Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland described the challenge of sustainability as “Satisfying the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability to satisfy the needs of future generations”.

Roberta Metsola writes.

That one sentence, written in 1987, encapsulates precisely the challenge facing policy makers and politicians. Our generation is still facing the threats our parents’ faced only the situation has become more urgent.

Cities no longer have the flexibility to build urban infrastructure because lawmakers deviated from the Brundtland principle trying to solve immediate problems while pushing the real issue further down the line.

It is sadly a situation that may have been stretched over the years but pushed to the extremes in the last years in Malta and Gozo.

Sustainability is not part of this Government’s vocabulary. They prefer to postpone problems for a few years rather than tackle them at source. Soon it will simply no longer be possible to postpone further.

Nothing shows this more that in Government’s failed approach to the traffic clogging the streets of Malta and Gozo.

The destruction of our natural environment in project after project is unforgivable. The trees and agricultural land we are chopping will remain down forever, never to rise again. We are condemning future generations for a quickfix political band-aid solution that will likely be rendered obsolete before it is even finished. And we are doing so at a time when air pollution is at record levels and respiratory illnesses are increasing - particularly among children.

My thinking is that incentives and selfregulation must be a first option, but policy decisions must match the enthusiasm of private investors and entrepreneurs. One part of the answer must be fiscal. We can carve out a tax niche for mobility companies that are willing to invest in cleaner, more sustainable vehicles and they would in turn pass on those savings to consumers. We can embrace new, emerging technologies that cut costs. We can make taking alternative transport cheaper, faster and more environmentally friendly than owning a car, while preserving our environment, having cleaner air and retaining the personal comfort of individual tailored rides we all are so accustomed to. But the costs today are still prohibitive - we are raising the cost when we should be slashing it - a policy decision that simply looks at the short-term cash-injection.

It makes economic as well as environmental sense. We are spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer funds on ministerial vanity projects and short-term road widening exercises when

The destruction of our natural environment in project after project is unforgivable. The trees and agricultural land we are chopping will remain down forever, never to rise again. We are condemning future generations for a quick-fix political band-aid solution that will likely be rendered obsolete before it is even finished. And we are doing so at a time when air pollution is at record levels and respiratory illnesses are increasing – particularly among children. we should be investing that money to prevent the traffic in the first place.

On a European level, the European Commission has already started the push

towards mobility that is sustainable, energyefficient and respectful of the environment, with the aim of preserving the benefits while reducing the adverse effects connected to mobility.

Locally, we still need to exploit the potential of water taxis for example and of small electric mobility devices in different towns and villages that are cheaper (or free) for end users. We need to more to promote electric car usage. We need super fast charging stations that are everywhere and we need them to be fastcharging zones. We need to finally invest in mass transit systems and look to the future of our country.

We can do all of this and more but we have to have the courage to look beyond the next headline and to the next generation.

The next five years will be crucial for lawmakers to make sure that the right legislation comes into effect. We must act now or our children will be sitting in the same traffic jams, on slightly wider roads, asking how noone managed to address the issue when all the signs were staring them in the face.

Roberta Metsola is a Member of the European Parliament for Malta and Gozo and Head of the PN Delegation @RobertaMetsola