The world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, BYD, has officially entered the Guyanese market through GT Automotive, a move that could catalyze quicker EV uptake.
GT Automotive is Guyana’s exclusive dealer for BYD, offering five of the Chinese automaker’s most in-demand models, including the Dolphin hatchback, Yuan Plus and Sea Lion SUVs, the luxury Seal sedan, and the Song Plus DMI plug-in hybrid. The BYD Shark, a plug-in hybrid pickup, is also expected to arrive soon.
The launch comes as Guyana ramps up its low-carbon development efforts. The country waived all taxes on electric vehicles to encourage adoption, but uptake has remained sluggish amid limited charging infrastructure and public awareness. The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), which promotes sustainable energy practices, has installed six EV charging stations along the coast and is conducting workshops for auto technicians and dealers to promote uptake.
Government also expects EV uptake to be incentivized by lower electricity rates from the Gas-to-Energy project, which involves a pipeline that will transport gas from ExxonMobil’s Liza field, to an onshore 300 megawatts (MW) natural gas power plant.
Despite the incentives, rapid economic growth driven by offshore oil production has led to rising imports of international combustion vehicles, with tens of thousands being registered annually.
Globally, BYD has surged to the forefront of the global EV industry. The company overtook Tesla in 2023 as the top-selling EV brand by volume, according to CNN, and has rolled out innovations including a new battery platform and advanced driver-assistance technology. Its aggressive pricing has made it a consumer favorite across emerging and established markets, although it has drawn scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe.
The United States imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs, effectively blocking BYD’s passenger cars from the market. The European Union has also taken steps to curb what it sees as unfair competition.
