Electric vehicle charging stations now available for public use

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has installed six electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at various locations for public use.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Wednesday visited the Amazonia Mall at Providence, East Bank Demera where one of the stations was set up. Accompanying him was Dr. Mahender Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the GEA and other officials.

Other charging stations have been set up at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, the Giftland Mall at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Little Rock Suites at New Amsterdam, Berbice, the S&R Parking Lot at Parika, East Bank Essequibo and outside of the GEA’s office on Quamina Street, Georgetown.

The Prime Minister noted that this new initiative is in keeping with the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. While engaging members of the media, he encouraged Guyanese to work towards gradually phasing out the usage of fossil fuels and embracing the use of renewable energy.

“Through the LCDS 2030, we are encouraging more use of renewable energy sources. So in this case, motor vehicle users can transition from using gasoline or diesel in vehicles, which is fossil fuel, to using an electric vehicle, which is renewable energy,” he said.

Prime Minister Phillips also added: “This is just the beginning. In the 2024 budget, we will ask for money to set up additional charging stations.”

Those importing electric vehicles are exempt from paying the 14% VAT. In addition, there is an increase in the writing down allowance applicable to all-electric motor vehicles to 50 percent annually in support of business’s investment decision to switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles.

This initiative is the first publicly available charging infrastructure in Guyana and is the cheapest throughout the English-speaking Caribbean at a rate of GYD$80 per kWh.

It indicates the Guyanese market’s readiness for an electric mobility future, encourages the growth of e-mobility, and highlights possible business opportunities in the electric mobility sector, the GEA stated in a release.

The operation of the stations are currently being supervised by the GEA’s engineers while undergoing a 3-month trial and testing period.

Electric vehicle owners can download the “Flash Charge” app, register, and charge their vehicles at any of the six stations during this period for free.

Instructions for using these stations are posted at each station location. Interested persons are advised to contact the GEA at 624-5905 or email at [email protected] for more information.