The Government has bought 13 new electric vehicles to replace its ministerial fleet, the Minister of Public Works announced yesterday.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch said that the 2025 Hyundai Kona cars were purchased at a total cost of almost $580,000.

He made the announcement at the government quarry in Hamilton Parish, in the presence of officials from the ministry and representatives of Auto Solutions Ltd.

Colonel Burch said a request for proposals was issued last September to procure the sedan-style, fully electric passenger vehicles to replace the older cars in the ministerial fleet.

The Government received three bids, but two submissions did not meet the requisite criteria and neither of the companies, when given the opportunity to make corrections, chose to do so within the required time frame, the minister added.

He said it was determined that the tender submitted by Auto Solutions was the best value.

Colonel Burch added: “The company has displayed their understanding of the requirements and budgeted accordingly while maintaining a competitive price.”

Auto Solutions offered a further 8.9 per cent discount if the vehicles were paid for in advance and the Government accepted the offer.

The minister highlighted that the Government maintains more than 500 vehicles consisting of tractors, motorcycles, concrete mixers and 119 cars, among others.

He added: “The average age of a government vehicle is ten-plus years, and as any mechanic would tell you, the older a car gets the harder and more expensive it is to maintain.”

Colonel Burch said it was anticipated that each new EV will save the Government about $55,000 per vehicle over its lifetime in maintenance and fuel costs.

He added: "Additionally, with the discount received for purchasing the vehicles in bulk, the Government essentially received one free vehicle.“

Four of the cars are already on the island and the rest will arrive in batches of three over the next few weeks, with the next delivery expected on September 30.

Colonel Burch said ministers were being introduced to the new vehicles and are provided with an orientation session before being assigned one.

Glen Smith, a managing director at Auto Solutions, said the company was committed to supporting the transition to eco-friendly transportation by offering a range of electric and hybrid vehicles that reduce emissions and promote cleaner air.

He said the passage of the Motor Car Electric and Hybrid Amendment Act 2024 this year allowed the company to import more hybrid and electric cars.

Mr Smith said: “We are working to broaden the selection of eco-friendly vehicles we can provide to customers and Bermuda.

“Together with the Government, we are working to help Bermuda embrace sustainability on the road.”

He pointed out that the vehicles bought for ministerial use had batteries that delivered an all-electric range of 234 miles.

Colonel Burch said charging stations were installed at the Sessions House parking lot.

“This is in addition to the charging stations already installed at the Cabinet Office and the Department of Workforce Development parking lot,” he added.

He said the Government planned to foster the development of the renewable energy industry to help Bermuda achieve its net-zero goal.

Colonel Burch said: “This achievement will come by encouraging the growth of the electric auto market on the island and reducing the number of internal combustion engine vehicles being imported.”

He said while the overall draft national policy was advancing the sector in unison with auto industry partners, the ministry has been diligently preparing for the transition for some years.

“As one of the larger procurers of vehicles on island, to lead by example, we have committed to electrifying the government vehicle fleet through a phased approach by replacing ageing assets with EVs when available,” the minister said.

Colonel Burch said that the Government bought six EVs several years ago as part of a pilot project and those vehicles are being used by public servants.

Two electric motorcycles were also purchased for the Bermuda Post Office, he added.

Earlier this year, the Government purchased five EVs to replace a portion of the district nurses’ fleet at the Department of Health.