More persons to be trained in EV maintenance, repairs

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) will soon be hosting its fourth batch of training in electric vehicle (EV) maintenance and repairs.
In an advertisement posted by the Agency, the GEA said it would implement its fourth practical and classroom-based training course to build local technical capacity supporting the growing electric vehicle market.
The course will cover the technological aspects of all major makes and models of hybrid and electric vehicles. Additionally, emphasis will be placed on best practices for the maintenance and repair of electric vehicles to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Training is expected to commence on Monday, September 25, 2023, and end on Friday, September 29, 2023, and run from 09:00h to 16:30h each day at the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre, Park, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
Interested practicing auto electricians and mechanical technicians are asked to submit an updated resume, character references, any relevant technical certificates, and one form of national identification. The training will be provided to the participants free of cost and upon successful completion, participants will be issued an internationally-recognised electric vehicle maintenance and repair certificate.
Submissions should be addressed to, The Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), 295 Quamina Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, via hard copy or emailed to [email protected] no later than 09:00h on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Interested individuals are advised to submit their documents as soon as possible, given that spaces for this programme are limited and early submissions will be prioritised.
Since the GEA began offering these types of training in July 2022, the Agency has trained a total of 38 persons to date. During a telephone interview with <<<Guyana Times>>> on Monday, GEA CEO, Dr Mahender Sharma shared that in this batch the Agency would train a new cohort of level three’s and would accommodate previous trainees who would benefit from a level four training.
The Government is moving to put the necessary infrastructure in place to encourage more persons to utilise electric vehicles and training human resources is a necessary part of going forward with the use of EVs.
This includes the installation of six public charging stations at strategic locations across the country: Giftland Mall on the East Coast of Demerara; Little Rock Suites in New Amsterdam, Berbice; Big Kiss Parking Lot in Parika; Amazonia Mall, East Bank Demerara; the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri, and outside of the GEA office on Quamina Street, Georgetown.
Last year, a US$141,199.38 contract was awarded to Jamaica-based Flash Motors Company Limited to procure and install the six public EV charging stations.
Meanwhile, in addition to the infrastructure to encourage the use of EVs in Guyana, the Government has recently announced the removal of taxes on the importation of electric vehicles as one of the measures in Budget 2023.
The removal of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on electric vehicles applies to new (less than four years old) electric motor vehicles – not hybrid – of any power rating.
Further, to support the investment decision of businesses to switch to more environmentally-friendly vehicles, a further increase in the writing-down allowance applicable to all-electric motor vehicles to 50 per cent annually has been implemented.
These measures are in keeping with the Guyana Government’s commitment towards development along a low-carbon development pathway.
Unlike combustion vehicles, electric vehicles are propelled by electromagnetism via an electric motor. It is charged using electricity, eliminating oil changes and other features distinct from gasoline or diesel vehicles.