A resident who imported an electric car in 2022 will save EC$4,500 in customs duty and excise tax, thanks to the Anguilla House of Assembly.
Premier Ellis Webster, who is also finance minister, proposed a motion to give Mona Fleming a tax cut on her Nissan Leaf, during a meeting of the assembly on 27 September.
He told members that the government approved a policy in July 2022 to allow electric and hybrid vehicles to be imported with no import duty or excise tax until 2028.
“This vehicle was brought in and the duty free exemption was not applied, and therefore we are trying to make amends,” he said.
Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, Minister of Education and Social Development, rose to support the motion.
She said that since the 2022 policy was approved a number of people have imported electric vehicles, and Fleming was “just on the on the cusp of that period”.
The minister said Fleming, when applying for duty exemption, stated “very clearly” that if the government is serious about climate change, then her her vehicle should be included.
“I’m very happy to see that we are finally in the at the point of being able to recognise the customs duty exemption,” Kentish-Rogers said.
“And I want to continue to encourage persons who decide to bring any electric vehicles onto the island to do so and take advantage of the customs duty exemption that this administration has put in place.”
The premier, in his response, said: “Since there [are] no other contributions, we’ll accept silence as consent”, and he thanked the members for appreciating the intent of the motion.
“Climate change is upon us, and we don’t have a significant carbon contribution in terms of emissions, but we do bear the brunt of it,” he said.
He added: “We do know that Anguilla is in the bullseye for these major storms and events which can be detrimental not only to our wellbeing but way our life.
“To our lives also, with the rising ocean levels, rising temperatures, beach and coastal erosion, and so anything that we can do in our little space to improve our lot, this administration is intent on doing.”
All members voted unanimously for the motion and it was passed.
