Transmission and distribution manager Lemuel Lavinier says taht a new electric vehicle is among a list of energy, efficiency and renewable initiatives at Dominica Electricity Services Ltd (DOMLEC). The Nissan Leaf was sourced in Barbados at a cost of EC$122,439 and selected because of its popularity and high safety ranking on the U.S. National Highway Safety Administration. Lavinier noted that electric vehicles are becoming more efficient and affordable as battery technology improve:
“The wheels are driven by a large 80 kilowatt motor of 107 horsepower powered by a 24 kilowatt lithium ion battery [and] it requires significantly less periods of servicing”.
The vehicle is equipped with a power-saving mode which gives up to 84 miles on a full charge. Charging time ranges from 30 minutes via quick charge and four to eight hours for full charge. Environmental awareness and corporate social responsibility are high on the agenda of DOMLEC’s board of directors and the organization;
“DOMLEC is willing to take risks with its eyes fixed on the rewards,” says member Federica James, “Technological yet friendly to our nature isle. We are going green”.
