Electrified islands – The road to e-mobility int he Caribbean
Global electric vehiclei (EV) uptake is on the rise, propelled by declining battery costs, increased awareness, and
favorable government policies. EVs are attracting interest worldwide for their role in reducing carbon emissions and
local air pollution, but most progress to date has been concentrated in China, the United States, and Western
Europe. Despite low EV numbers in the Caribbean, several factors make the region ideal for expansion. Caribbean
islands are heavily dependent on oil imports, which makes fuel expensive and exposes them to oil price and foreign
exchange risk. Transport sectors account for a large share of energy consumption. Renewable energy potential is
abundant, meaning the environmental benefits of EVs can be maximized over time. And Caribbean islands are
vulnerable to natural disasters and can benefit from the ancillary resilience services of EVs. Finally, Caribbean
islands are small, naturally mitigating range anxiety and requiring less extensive charging networks.
