Electric Vehicle Company Says They’re Not to Blame for Stress on Power Grid

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Bahamas Grid Company is facing growing backlash after senior officials suggested the rise in electric vehicle chargers is contributing to increased demand on the country’s power grid.

Now, owners of one of the country’s top electric vehicle dealerships and EV drivers are pushing back, saying the real problem isn’t electric cars, but an aging power system that has failed to keep pace with the country’s energy needs.

Are electric vehicles really adding to the strain on the power grid, or are they being made the scapegoat for a much bigger problem?

The issue came to light after Tuesday’s information session at the Office of the Prime Minister, where Bahamas Grid Company CEO Dareo McKenzie and COO Ryan Holder referenced the growing number of electric vehicles and home chargers while discussing the island’s rising demand for electricity.

Those comments have now drawn a sharp response from Pia and John Farmer, the co-founders of Easy Car Sales.

In a Facebook post, the Farmers said they were “very concerned” that electric vehicles were being used as an example of what’s putting pressure on the grid.

They say that’s simply not the case.

The Farmers argue the average electric vehicle uses about 250 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, about the same as an electric water heater or clothes dryer, and much less than what many homes use to run their air conditioning.

They also say there is no requirement for homeowners to get approval before installing a home EV charger, adding that most chargers fit well within a home’s existing electrical capacity.

The letter goes on to say there are only an estimated 2,500 electric vehicles on Bahamian roads, making their impact on the national grid relatively small.

Social media users also joined the conversation.

One user said, “It’s laughable the amount of excuses they’re trying to give to us, the Bahamian people.”

Another wrote, “They are pointing fingers in every direction.”

In defending electric vehicles, the Farmers say the country’s power problems are the result of an aging grid, years of underinvestment, and a failure to plan for future demand.

They also point to the government’s goal of having 50 percent of all new vehicle sales fully electric by 2035, saying the focus should be on preparing the power grid for that future, not blaming electric vehicles for today’s power woes.

They end their letter by saying EV owners are helping to reduce fuel imports, cut emissions, and save money, adding that they should be part of the solution, not the scapegoat.