Motorists owning electric cars will be driving around at no cost for 12 months because charging points being set up in Malta and Gozo will be free for a year. But no idea was given of what the cost will be when charges are introduced.

Gozo Minister Anton Refalo said that for the present 15 charging points are being set up in Gozo, and 75 in Malta.

The ministry is partnering the Transport Ministry in the LIFE+ and DEMO-EV projects, which aim to promote the use of electric cars, so that Malta will achieve the 2020 Climate Change and Energy Target, with 5,000 electric vehicles being driven around by then. 

As part of the project the Transport Ministry has transferred to the Gozo Ministry one of a fleet of electric cars in the project. Transport Minister Joe Mizzi pointed out that road transport vehicles account for almost 17 per cent of emissions in Malta, a figure which is alarming and unacceptable, so the government has committed itself to make transport in Malta sustainable.

The main reason why the government promotes these projects, he added, is that through them Malta may one day have less pollution. And once a better public transport system is in operation than we have today, road traffic will reduce, there will be less congestion and fewer accidents as a result.

Dr Refalo said the Gozo Ministry is committed to achieve th Eco-Gozo environmental aims to reduce emissions. These sort of initiatives will truly assist in having projects which will help Gozo have a cleaner environment, he added.