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Flash Motors supplies 100% battery electric vehicles to the Caribbean. We believe that battery electric technology is safe, capable, and the superior choice for transportation due to better driving experience, lower operating costs, and of benefit to local air quality.
An electric vehicle, also known as an EV, is powered fully or partially by an electric motor and battery pack. Every auto manufacturer in the world has an EV on the road right now or is close to releasing one, with many committed to electrifying their entire line-up over the next 10-15 years.
EVs have better acceleration than gas cars. That’s because electric motors deliver full torque right away, unlike internal combustion engines that need to gear up. Electric motors are an incredibly efficient and durable technology, meaning less maintenance and a longer lifetime than gas engines.
Electricity is more affordable than gasoline and can be domestically produced via renewables like Solar or Wind. This means every time you charge up, you are saving money and supporting the local economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution every time you drive.
Electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, the same battery used in smartphones and laptops. EV batteries hold their charge for weeks and are quick and easy to recharge. EV batteries are 90% recyclable, and many companies are considering re-purposing used EV batteries for second-life energy storage. This means that the battery still has a value at the end of your car’s life, unlike old gas engines bound for the scrapyard.
All electric cars need to be charged by plugging in. You can recharge using a standard wall socket or an EV charging station. The time it takes to charge fully is based on the level, or speed, of charging and how full the battery is. Charging experiences can be divided into private and public charging, where private charging is only available to a specific vehicle owner(s), while public charging is available to everyone.
All EV models come standard with a portable cord-set that lets you charge using any standard household outlet. This is called Level 1 charging and is the slowest speed of charging but ensures that you can always recharge no matter where you are.
The most common way to charge. This is called Level 2, and most EV drivers will install a Level 2 charging station at home or work. All electric cars and charging stations in Jamaica supplied by Flash Motors use the same plug standard, the European Type 2/CCS2 standard. This is the recommended standard for Jamaica by Charin, the Global EV Standards Association. Level 2 stations have similar electrical requirements to a clothes dryer or stove (220 Volts/32 Amps), and any certified electrician can install them
If you are going on a road trip, but don’t have the time to stop and use a Level 2 charging station, then Level 3 is for you. Except for large vehicles like buses and trucks, Level 3 charging stations are almost always public
Level 3 charging stations are gas station replacements for electric cars that will charge your battery from empty to 80% in 30-45 minutes.
Jamaica features over 26 publicly available charging stations, most of which are on the JPS Charge’N’GO and everGO charging networks.
You can find all locations and prices for charging via their Apple and Android applications or collectively via the Plugshare App.
Fully electric cars do not require oil changes, transmissions or exhaust systems, and the average EV driver can save hundreds of dollars per year on maintenance. Electric motors are much more durable than gas engines and only have one moving part. This means far fewer breaks down or goes wrong.
With electricity and gas prices where they are today, EVs are ½ the cost to drive than a gas car, and your typical EV driver saves $160,000-$220,000 per year on energy costs "fuel." This could be even more if your home or business has solar PV feeding your vehicle's charger
Most electric cars fall in the $7M to $15M range. In most cases, this is slightly more expensive than an equivalent gas car. However, the Jamaican Government has reduced import duty to 10% with no GCT to help bring this cost down. EVs are also much cheaper to operate and maintain than gas cars, so although your upfront may be slightly higher, your overall cost of ownership is significantly lower
While it is true that power plants produce emissions, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions depends entirely on the source of electricity. Most of Jamaica's electricity comes from Oil and Gas, both emitting sources, but they do so at a far better efficiency than car engines. In addition, Jamaica is increasing the share of renewables used to produce electricity, making driving EVs cleaner over time. One thing they eliminate is tailpipe emissions, which currently plague the island's urban centers. Driving an EV today results in cleaner air where people live, work, and play.
EV batteries are made from Lithium-ion, the same battery used in smartphones, laptops and most rechargeable household electronics. Lithium-ion batteries are 90% recyclable, and many companies are considering using used EV batteries as second-life energy storage units. Furthermore, BYD Blade Batteries use iron phosphate chemistry, meaning there is no unethical cobalt content used in battery production.
When you compare the total life-cycle of an EV to a gas car, from manufacturing to operation to end of life, EVs produce about half the greenhouse gas emissions as a comparable gas car. For more information on the EV life cycle, visit the Union of Concerned Scientists
Electric cars deliver full torque immediately, giving them better acceleration than gas cars. Electric cars have no problem maintaining speeds upwards of 150 km/h. Electric cars deliver a smooth ride and are completely silent when running.
EVs undergo the same rigorous safety tests as gas cars and are fully licensed to drive on Canada's roads and highways. EVs have the same safety features as gas cars, including airbags, rear-view cameras, lane assist warnings, etc. It can be argued that EVs are safer because gasoline is highly combustible and flammable. They are also completely safe in severe rain and partially submerged in water. It can be argued that since EVs do not require air or combustion to move, they are better suited to be driven through flooded roadways.
EVs come standard with all of the same luxuries and comforts as gas cars, including cooled seats, s, top-notch sound systems, built-in navigation systems, Bluetooth connectivity and more.
All EVs come standard with a cord set that lets you charge using a regular wall socket. Many EV drivers will install a charging station that easily charges an EV battery from empty to full overnight. Just plug your car in, walk inside and wake up the next morning to a full charge.
While it is true that EVs can take up to 12 hours to fully charge, the amount of time it takes depends on how full the battery is. Most drivers will only use ¼ of the battery in a typical day of driving, which means it will take ¼ of the time to charge. If you install an electric vehicle charging station, you can speed up your charging time even more. In addition, Jamaica is installing more DC-Fast stations. These stations are gas station replacements designed for highway driving that will fully charge your EV from empty to 80% in 30-45 minutes.
Most of your charging takes place at home overnight. If you need to charge while on the road, Jamaica has dozens of public charging stations, many of which are DC-Quick chargers that will fully recharge your battery from empty to full in 30-45 minutes. To find a public charging station along your route, visit PlugShare.
Fully electric cars sold today travel 300+ km on a single charge. If you need to take your fully electric car on a road trip, there are numerous public charging stations called DC-Quick chargers. These chargers appear along highways and major roadways and will fully charge your battery from empty to full in 30-45 minutes. All BYD vehicles in Jamaica can go from Kingston to Montego Bay on a single charge, with most being able to return to Kingston without stopping at a charging station.
Most Jamaicans drive 50 km or less daily, and they don't realize it. This is well within the range of every electric car on the market. EVs also handle traffic jams better. When you are stopped, the electric motor doesn't draw energy from the battery, whereas gas engines continually burn fuel and money the entire time.
