At long last, people in Bermuda who don’t want a big car can go electric.
It’s been a snail-paced journey since the green revolution slowly clicked into gear two decades ago, but the arrival of the Hyundai Inster is a potential gamechanger for many.
The Inster is a D class compact city car designed for the parents whose children have left home; the young folks who don’t have a big family; and the seniors who just want to get from A to B with the minimum of fuss.
It comes after dealers experienced years of frustration trying to persuade manufacturers to bring smaller vehicles to Bermuda.
“We feel very confident that this is a niche market that will do well,” said managing director Glen Smith.
“When you get to my age, and your kids are gone, you don’t need a big car anymore so you’re looking for something smaller.
“We are seeing it with our seniors – they don’t want to pay high taxes to TCD. There’s a younger generation that also wants to go EV but they don’t want a large car, they want a D class similar to a Suzuki, so we feel confident that this will work.”
The Inster is not currently available in the Caribbean, but Bermuda has been chosen as the test market. Auto Solutions ordered 19 for April and more than half were presold before they arrived.
Auto Solutions already had electric and hybrid options for its larger Hyundai models, the Creta and the Kona, as well as hybrid Suzuki and Honda models, and the custom RBW Roadster Electric.
At Eurocar, the new Jeep Avenger – available in electric or hybrid – has received positive feedback.
The Avenger has a 400km driving range, which means it needs to be charged weekly, rather than daily, but general manager Stephen Davidge said many prefer still prefer hybrids.
“If you’re renting a place, the idea of installing a charger and then having to take it with you if you move can be off-putting,” he said.
Bermuda Motors offers the electric Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman, and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer plug-in hybrid, as well as the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid and new Kia Niro EV – with two more electric Kia models on the way.
Senior sales representative Joy Burgess said: “We’re seeing customers appreciate not just the environmental benefits, but also the smooth driving experience and lower running costs.”
In 2024, the Bermuda Government passed legislation allowing dealers to import larger electric vehicles including the Kona.
Since then, the number of electric vehicles on our roads has continued to rise, from 1,230 in 2024 to 1,605 now. That includes 823 private cars, up from 627; 197 motorcycles, up from 91; and 341 rental minicars, up from 258.
Four years ago, the Government announced a plan to ban the importation and sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, in line with European regulations.
Mr Davidge said: “It’s hard to say that’s realistic, as in many other places they have pulled back on it. We will probably see more hybrid vehicles coming in rather than electric. There needs to be a significant increase in the electric vehicles available to us.”
Harry Andrews, operations manager at Auto Solutions, said: “The challenge that we’re going to have with Hyundai is that 75 per cent of their production will still be combustion.
“From our model line-up, we would be very, very constrained in what we could offer to the public. Hopefully, we can talk with the Government and find some middle ground.”
However, as long as charging infrastructure can be developed, and awareness and education about the practicality of electric vehicles is increased, there is optimism.
Ms Burgess said: “The island is very well suited to EV adoption, with shorter driving distances, minimal range anxiety, and clear cost advantages, including duty benefits.
“As charging access becomes more widespread and people become more familiar with how seamlessly EVs fit into daily life here, we expect to see even stronger uptake.”
Road conditions
Potholes are continuing to damage vehicles despite ongoing efforts to repave the island’s roads.
The Government’s repair work fell behind schedule after its asphalt plant went out of action in 2023 and its replacement was delayed.
Mr Davidge said: “We are seeing improvements in some areas but the damage on vehicles is still a concern. We had one customer whose tyre exploded after they hit a pothole so hard.”
Mr Smith said: “The Government are certainly committed to working on the roads, but we still see cars coming that tyres are completely worn; we’ve also seen the shocks in some cars have gone.”
Other problems include wear and year on ball joints, tyre wear and wheel alignment.
Buyers beware
Mr Smith warned car buyers of the potentially costly risks when purchasing a car.
He said some vehicles currently on the market may seem attractive – but don’t come with the after-sale support you get with an established dealership.
“You have to have a certain amount of capital in the business and huge liability insurance so if something goes wrong you can cover it,” Mr Smith said.
“You need inventory. You need the technology to plug the car in so the manufacturer can do the tweaking.”
Mr Andrews said: “Sometimes when you’ve bought a product, and there’s no after sales support and something happens, it becomes a massive topic.
“If you haven’t invested in the parts, in the training, in the after sales, you’re stuck in the mud.”
Damien Donfield, certified pre-owned sales specialist at Auto Solutions, said: “Sometimes people go on to Facebook market or eMoo – they pick a car based on colour, or the fact it has a boom box. That’s not a reason to buy.”
He advised asking questions such as:
- What’s the service history on the car?
- Has the car ever been crashed or damaged?
- Is there any finance outstanding?
“Be a little more informed. If you do your due diligence, and you plan and make provisions, you can pretty much tell the future within reason,” he said.
“At our Pre-Owned Vehicle department, we have already asked all those questions, so you can be sure you’re getting the real deal.”
