Abstract

Imported fossil fuels accounted for 83.8% of the primary energy demand on Mauritius in 2011. 36.4% of the fossil fuels imported were used in the transport sector. This thesis examines how Mauritius can reduce their import dependency on fossil fuels for private land transport by use of biofuels and electric vehicles. Nine models for possible fuel consumption in private land transport are used. These models are based on three different fuel intensities and three different average distances travelled each day. It is found that implementing E10 or E20 ethanol blends in gasoline-fuelled cars/dual-purpose vehicles have the potential of reducing fossil fuel imports for private land transport by 1.4% to 5.6% or 2.8% to 11.2% depending on the consumption model. The required ethanol for such blends can be produced from by-products of the existing sugar industry on the island. Four scenarios for electricity generation to fuel electric vehicles were also considered; Scenarios A and B models an electricity generation source mix consistent with the 2010 mix and a government target mix for 2025, scenario C models electricity generation exclusively from coal and scenario D models electricity generation only from renewable energy resources. All scenarios result in a decrease of required fossil fuels import for private land transport when replacing conventional vehicles with electric vehicles, with scenario C showing the least and scenario D showing the largest decrease. However an all-electric car fleet can more than double the electricity demand if the charging coincides with the peak electricity demand. As a consequence, measures must be put in place to mitigate this risk. Some measures to this effect, such as a vehicle-to-grid system, will enable electric vehicle batteries to act as extra energy and power capacity for the electric grid and thus facilitate a higher share of renewable energy in the general electricity generation on Mauritius. An electric vehicle fleet fuelled with electricity generated from renewable energy sources should therefore be the long-term goal for private land transport on Mauritius. Many Strong Voices, Norad, Tekn