James Kon
Brunei Darussalam is set to implement the electric vehicle (EV) pilot project that will start at first half of 2021 for the next two years.
In line with the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP), the project will pave the way for national resilience in climate change and low carbon emissions.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof launched the Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Strategic Plan 2025 at the Amar Pahlawan Hall of the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) yesterday.
He said the project is one of the four latest initiatives and transportation policies in the country, adding that, “similar to the Brunei Darussalam Road safety Strategic plan, the national climate change policy focusses on the principles of achieving Brunei Vision 2035 and promoting security, resilience and economic prosperity through a low carbon approach in preserving the environment”.
Speaking on the implementation of legal requirements covering technical, pricing and infrastructure issues, he said, “Other stakeholders such as car dealers will also carry out promotions on electric vehicles to expand and increase its distribution. Insya Allah, within five years of the launch of the EV Strategic Plan, policy setting and provision of infrared charging will be targetted for implementation.”
Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib also touched on the pilot project replacing the speed warning devices (SWDs) under the Road Traffic Regulation 2002.
“In August this year, a pilot project was launched to replace speed warning devices under Road Traffic Regulations 2002 with In-Vehicle Monitoring System (IVMS) that uses Global Positioning System (GPS),” he said.
It aims to increase road safety especially for commercial and heavy vehicles as well as public transport by monitoring the speed of the vehicles. Expected to be completed by February 2021, the findings will determine whether to fully implement the project in the future.
Meanwhile, Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib assured road users that steps have been taken to provide high-quality licence plates for vehicles in Brunei.
“Alhamdullillah, I am happy to share that the Land Transport Department has already taken steps to ensure the quality of licence plates is not affected although discounts are being offered to replace the faded ones. Companies have been appointed to deliver quality plates for a period of three months from January 1 to March 31, 2021,” he said.
The Land Transport Department has set up an action group to conduct a survey on faded licence plates and will continue to carry out technical tests in ensuring that licence plates are of high quality with the right specifications.