On World Electric Vehicle Day 2025, Guyana reflected on its fast-growing electric mobility sector and its role in building a modern low carbon future. Over the past five years, the government has stepped up investments to expand the use of electric vehicles, strengthen charging infrastructure, and develop local skills. These efforts are fully aligned with the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.
Today, more than 280 electric vehicles are on Guyana’s roads, supported by six public charging stations managed by the Guyana Energy Agency. Fourteen more stations are expected to arrive by the end of 2025, expanding nationwide access. Policy incentives including zero import duties on electric vehicles and higher tax write down allowances are also encouraging citizens and businesses to choose cleaner transport options.
A major milestone came earlier this year with the launch of the Just Energy Transition Seed Funding Initiative, backed by the Joint SDG Fund, UNDP, and IOM. The initiative is installing three solar powered charging stations and rolling out training for local electrical and mechanical technicians. Participants are gaining certification in electric vehicle maintenance and solar photovoltaic systems, ensuring that Guyana not only imports technology but also builds the expertise to sustain it.
The most recent training programmes have been supported by the European Union as part of its Global Gateway strategy, which prioritises investments in renewable energy in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Guyana, this support was delivered through the Euroclima Programme, the EU’s flagship initiative to promote sustainable development and climate action, co funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
With this latest cohort, a total of seventy seven auto electricians and mechanical technicians have now been trained to repair and maintain electric vehicles in Guyana. This growing skills base strengthens the workforce needed to keep the transition on track and ensures that local expertise remains at the center of Guyana’s energy transformation.
To foster collaboration and raise awareness, public Show and Tell exhibitions have been held in Georgetown and Berbice. These events provided an interactive platform for auto dealers, vehicle owners, and citizens to engage directly with new technologies, learning about driving range, cost effectiveness, maintenance, and the expansion of the charging network.
The continued expansion of Guyana’s electric mobility industry underscores the country’s goal to transform how energy is produced and used, as well as how transportation systems operate nationwide. Clean and renewable energy remains a priority, supporting the gradual shift toward a modern low carbon transport system.
On this World Electric Vehicle Day, Guyana reaffirmed its commitment to invest in national initiatives that encourage the adoption of electric vehicles while creating Technical and Vocational Education and Training opportunities to equip the workforce for the demands of the growing electric mobility landscape. By pairing infrastructure with skills development, Guyana is charting a path toward a cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive future for all.
Originally published by the Guyana Chronicle.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
