Open sesame – with vehicles!
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In the Netherlands, Prime Minister Mark Rutte rides a bicycle to work. In fact, the Dutch love cycling so much that in 2018 the country had more bicycles than people: 23 million to 17 million citizens.Of course the love for cycling is encouraged by an environment replete with beautiful parks, aesthetic buildings, green spaces and designated bicycle lanes. Maybe the current rulers – who have decreed that ministers would have a reduced number of vehicles, should provide bicycles for travel within their electorates! That would truly be a joyous day.
Well, many Sri Lankans also, in a rare gesture, turned to bicycles for their daily travel during the economic crisis in 2022 when fuel was rationed and queues formed outside filling stations. Bicycle prices rose by over 30 per cent and it was common to see bicycles on the street in unusually large numbers including those used by Pickme or Uber food delivery riders.
But today, unfortunately, after the fuel crisis ended and foreign exchange (dollars) started flowing in, the bicycles are off the streets and fuel-guzzling vehicles are back. Maybe people would have continued to use bicycles if there were designated cycle lanes.
So why are we talking about bicycles, what is the catch? Well this was due to a conversation with ‘Koththamalli’ Fernando, the Kokathath Thailaya (oil for many ailments) expert who has a remedy for any issue, this Thursday morning.
“I say, they are opening the floodgates for vehicle imports once again. Our roads won’t be able to bear the pressure of increased vehicles,” he said.
“Well….this is inevitable. In fact, the Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said recently that the foreign exchange flows have improved enabling the country to relax the ban on motor vehicle imports. He also said that with new businesses emerging, there is a need for newer vehicles and also for replacements,” I said.
“It is unfortunate the authorities didn’t promote and campaign for the use of bicycles when people started using them during the 2022 fuel crisis. That would have been a positive move,” said Koththamalli.
“For such a campaign to work, the infrastructure like designated bicycle lanes is essential to encourage cycling. Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s roads are full of traffic-related air pollution unlike the Netherlands where the air is clean, precisely because less motor cars are on the roads and the main mode of transport, apart from bicycles, is efficient public transport,” I said.
“With an eye on the future and many proposals nowadays based on what the country would look like in 2048 (when Sri Lanka marks 100 years of independence from colonial rule), maybe pollution would be minimised with the increased use of electric vehicles. Maybe……..just maybe, Sri Lankans would then embrace the Netherlands’ love for bicycles,” he said.
Today, everybody is talking about the relaxation of the long-time ban on motor vehicle imports. The trio was also discussing this, for what purpose I don’t know as they currently don’t have the financial resources to own a motor car – maybe, maybe in the future when they progress in life and earn enough to buy a car – something I wish would happen!
“Den, ratha vahana ratata gennanna denawa (So they are allowing motor vehicles to be imported),” said Kussi Amma Sera. “Magey nede kenek balagena hitiye mae theeraneta, mokada eya pavichchi karana kareka tourism walata than godak parana nisa. Eka venuwata aluth ekak eyata avashyai (One of my cousins has been waiting for imports to be allowed again as the car he is using for tourism purposes is old and he needs to replace it with a new car),” added Serapina.
“Mata kattiya kiyanawa aluth car godak ganan kiyala badu nisa. Car avaishya kattiyata ganna berilu (I am told new cars will be expensive because of high taxes and beyond the reach of those desperate to get a vehicle),” noted Mabel Rasthiyadu.
For many young couples owning a motorbike and planning to marry, their first dream is to own a car, which may not be a viable proposition nowadays.
According to a report in The Sunday Times last week, vehicle importers say car prices will rise sharply owing to high taxes and a steady appreciation in the price of vehicles over the past few years.
“Certainly, the car prices have gone up significantly compared to 2019 prices or before the COVID-19 pandemic period, causing limited affordability and market shrinking,” Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association Chairman Andrew Perera told The Sunday Times.
The report said the estimated costs of some of the imported vehicles in terms of the revised tax regimes based on a new web tool designed by financial provider CAL Group were: Suzuki WagonR (2024) – Rs. 7 million; Honda Vezel – Rs. 18.2 million; Maruti Suzuki Alto – Rs. 5 million; Toyota Hilux 2024 – Rs. 21 million; Toyota Aqua (Hybrid) – Rs. 16.8 million; and Nissan X Trail – Rs. 26.8 million.
The government was also allowing, apart from new cars, only reconditioned vehicles manufactured within three years, compared to three to five years earlier, which again would send prices up.
In a recent article in The Sunday Times Business, energy expert Jeremy Fernando raised some salient points regarding a potential flood of EVs (electric vehicles).
He said the environmental benefits of EVs could be undermined if the electricity used for charging them is predominantly generated from fossil fuels.
“Allowing unrestricted EV charging without proper control mechanisms could lead to increased energy imports, negating the benefits of reduced fossil fuel consumption in transportation. By ensuring that EV charging is predominantly powered by renewable energy, Sri Lanka can mitigate potential economic burdens associated with higher energy bills and infrastructure strain,” he said, adding: “The impending influx of electric vehicles presents a pivotal opportunity for Sri Lanka to advance its sustainability goals. However, to fully realise the environmental and economic benefits, it’s crucial to implement effective strategies that promote renewable energy integration in EV charging. Through a combination of regulatory measures, financial incentives and public education, Sri Lanka can pave the way for a greener and more resilient energy future.”
The government has said it would closely monitor the fresh imports of motor vehicles (which in a way is a positive move particularly for the burgeoning tourism industry where tourist arrivals are rising rapidly) to ensure that the foreign exchange inflows sufficiently match outflows and would take precautionary measures if a shortage of foreign exchange occurs once again.
As I wind up this column, sipping a nice mug of coffee brought for a change and made by Kussi Amma Sera, I would like to echo Jeremy’s words – “The full environmental benefit of electric vehicles would ensue only if EVs are charged with renewable energy sources and not through fossil fuel.”
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