Over 220 electric vehicles imported within last 5 years – GEA CEO

…Govt secures US$250,000 to build more charging stations

As more Guyanese are becoming interested in using electrically powered vehicles, it was revealed that within a five-year time span more than 220 electric vehicles were imported in Guyana.

This heightened interest for electric vehicles among the Guyanese population was highlighted by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Dr Mahender Sharma on Monday during the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launch of the Just Energy Transition Seed Funding Initiative.
According to the CEO in 2024 the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) recorded a total of forty-four (44) electric vehicles being imported into the country. On this point he noted that within the last five years more than 220 electric vehicles were imported into the country.
“In 2024 we recorded about 44 electric vehicle imports, over the last five years I think the last count I had, it was about 224 electric vehicles in the country.”
Moreover Dr Sharma highlighted that there will be a significant increase of electric vehicles being imported into the country. He attributed this increase to several key factors such as the cost reduction for electrical vehicles as well as strategic initiatives which were rolled out by the Government.
“As more companies produce more electric vehicles prices will come down and there are many other players now supporting that…What we have seen and what I believe we will continue to see is a proliferation of electric vehicles across the country for a few reasons.”
The CEO added. “They are no taxes on them now and there is a 50 per cent write down allowance on an annual basis for businesses who are interested in investing in electric vehicles. We are training more mechanics and electricians to be able to offer the services to maintain electric vehicles. We are installing more electric vehicle infrastructure across the country and we are creating more awareness.”
Notably one of the major factors stymieing the importation of electrical vehicles in Guyana is the access to charging stations. Currently they are some six (6) charging stations in Guyana majority of which are situated in Georgetown.
However, in a bid to accelerate the shift to cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions in Guyana the UNDP on Monday launched the Just Energy Transition Seed Funding Initiative. Under this project the Government was given US$250,000 to construct three solar powered charging stations in Georgetown Region 4 (Demera-Mahaica).
Guyana Times understands that each of these stations will be equipped with a 15-kilowatt (kW) solar Photovoltaic (PV) pile module installation which will be linked to charger capable of charging two electric vehicles simultaneously.
This charger will disperse approximately 50-kW of power, increasing charging speeds allowing vehicles to receive 90 per cent of battery in about 45 minutes. In a bid to further slash the country’s carbon foot print when not in use these charging stations will redirect power generated from the solar panels into the power grid.
Speaking at the launch event was United Nations (UN) resident coordinator Jean Njeri Kamau who highlighted that the Just Energy Transition Seed Funding Initiative will be a key project in Guyana’s shift towards greener energy solutions.
“What is important about this fund is that it looks out for innovation and to support initiatives that would have a catalyst and influencing objective. So, this particular project has the potential to really shift and support a critical aspect of Ghana’s energy transition it contributes to green jobs, green economy, and adds value to the low carbon development strategy that the country has been pursuing. This initiative directly fuels Guyana’s journey towards a sustainable and resilient energy future. More than infrastructure, this project prioritises people. Equity is central, ensuring a just transition that benefits all Guyanese.”
Moreover, the project also seeks to build human capacity amid the country’s energy transition. A critical component of the initiative will invest technical and vocational training for approximately 20 persons. These persons will be trained by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
Head of IOM in Guyana Eraina Yaw highlighted that the robust training initiative will play a major role in the country’s energy transition by equipping persons with the skills needed to maintain and fix electric vehicles and components at the various charging stations.
“This training will seek to cover, as much as is practical, the areas of electrical vehicle maintenance and repairs, installation and maintenance of electrical vehicle charging stations, installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to support and supply power for the electrical vehicle charging stations, and it will also include methodologies for effectively imparting this knowledge to local technicians so as to promote the creation of future job opportunities.”