Clean Mobility Initiative: More than 870 electric vehicles imported as Guyana pushes for cleaner transport

The silent hum of electric vehicles is becoming a more familiar sound on Guyana’s roadways, as the country’s shift towards cleaner transportation gains momentum, with more than 870 electric vehicles imported since the start of the initiative.
Guyana’s clean transport drive promotes fuel-efficient driving habits, electric vehicles (EVs), and modern infrastructure through key efforts led by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).
The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) says the increase reflects growing public interest in electric vehicles, supported by awareness initiatives, the expansion of charging infrastructure, and government incentives aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
This was revealed by the chief executive officer (CEO) of the GEA, Dr Mahender Sharma, during the latest edition of the Energy Perspective Podcast, titled “Powering Guyana’s Low-Carbon Future”.
According to Sharma, when the initiative to promote electric mobility began, there were very few electric vehicles in Guyana.
He explained that the focus was initially on creating awareness through activities such as electric vehicle shows, seminars, and discussions highlighting the benefits of cleaner transportation.
The GEA, he added, gained practical experience by acquiring and operating an electric vehicle, which was connected to a solar power system to assess how the technology could work locally.
However, Dr Sharma noted that there was still uncertainty surrounding electric vehicle adoption, largely due to the absence of charging infrastructure.
“The most recent numbers at the end of June this year were that more than 870 electric vehicles were imported into the country from its inception,” Sharma said.
He added that the number of charging sessions has also been increasing significantly. According to him,
“The number of charging station sessions – so we have about seven public charging stations right now – averages; the average charging sessions per month have moved from about 230 sessions to an average of 334 sessions per month. In June alone, that was more than 500 sessions.”
Sharma said the goal is to encourage private sector investment in charging infrastructure, with businesses such as banks, supermarkets, and hotels being encouraged to establish charging stations.
According to him, expanding access to charging facilities would provide greater confidence to persons considering investing in electric vehicles while helping to accelerate the transition towards cleaner transportation.
“We want them to set up charging stations at banks, at supermarkets, and at hotels. 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 in time,” he said.
He added that while public charging stations are important, they should not be viewed as the only solution for electric vehicle owners.
“So, you’re seeing a gradual increase in the public charging network. But I don’t want to create the impression that the public charging network is the foundation for charging electric vehicles. We want you to invest in charging stations in your home,” Sharma said.
He explained that home charging stations do not necessarily have to be large, high-powered units.
“They don’t have to be like the big fancy ones you see that we’ve installed, the 20 kilowatt and the 50-kilowatt ones. They can be seven kilowatts. They’ll take a little longer to charge,” he said.
Sharma noted that electric vehicle owners typically do not allow their batteries to fully discharge before recharging, meaning the average charging time is usually between three and four hours, depending on usage.
“But quite often, persons don’t discharge their vehicles all the way to zero and then charge them up. So your average charging time should be three or four hours, depending on how much you drive and all of that,” he said.
He explained that the growth of electric mobility in Guyana is being supported by a combination of public awareness efforts, investment in charging infrastructure, and government policies, including the removal of taxes on electric vehicles.
According to Sharma, businesses that invest in electric vehicles can also benefit from a 50 per cent write-down allowance when adding the vehicles to their balance sheets.
“There’s also a 50 per cent write-down allowance if you’re having a business and you want to bring that onto your balance sheet on an annual basis. And we are also training mechanics and electricians to have a cadre of professionals who can service and repair electric vehicles. We’ve already trained more than 77 of those persons,” he said.