Guyana’s electric vehicle market is expanding, with more than 870 electric vehicles imported into the country as demand for cleaner transportation options gains momentum. However, the need for charging infrastructure remains a pertinent requirement for wider adoption, and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) is calling on the private sector to invest in charging stations.
GEA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mahender Sharma said during the July 30 edition of the Energy Perspectives Podcast that entities such as banks, supermarkets and hotels could help expand charging access by installing stations at their facilities.
“The average charging sessions per month moved from about 230 sessions to an average of 334 sessions per month. In June alone, that was more than 500 sessions. So you’re seeing a gradual increase in the public charging network,” Sharma disclosed.
He explained that the GEA’s role was to encourage adoption, not become the country’s main charging provider.
“The idea was to invest in some of these, to catalyze interest. We want the private sector to run with this, because when you do that, you provide comfort to somebody thinking of investing in an electric car, and the numbers are quite impressive at this point, ” Sharma said.
By increasing the use of electricity-powered vehicles, Guyana could reduce fuel demand from the transport sector and retain more value within the domestic economy, particularly as the country continues to invest in renewable energy and cleaner transportation systems.
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Government incentives supporting electric vehicle adoption include the removal of taxes on electric vehicle imports and a 50% tax write-down allowance for businesses that add electric vehicles to their assets.
Alongside infrastructure, the GEA is developing local technical capacity, with more than 77 mechanics and electricians trained to service and repair electric vehicles.
“We worked with the Board of Industrial Training, and we had support from the UNDP [United Nations Development Programme] in that regard…Our new set of charging stations will now be paired with grid-connected solar,” Sharma said.
The GEA CEO said home charging will also remain an important part of electric vehicle ownership and noted that consumers do not necessarily require high-capacity chargers.
“We want you to invest in charging stations in your home,” he said.
