The Working Group established by the Cabinet for the Development of Electric Vehicle (EV) and Hybrid Vehicle Policy in Antigua and Barbuda held its inaugural meeting last week, chaired by Ambassador Clarence Pilgrim, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade.

To set the meeting’s tone, Ambassador Pilgrim emphasized that the transportation sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and transitioning to cleaner, more energy-efficient options is essential rather than optional.

He said as a small island developing state, Antigua and Barbuda is especially vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.

“This working group is a vital step towards fulfilling our commitments under international climate agreements while protecting our environment for future generations,” he stated.

He said with approximately 45,000 fossil fuel-powered vehicles registered in Antigua and Barbuda, it’s not surprising that the ongoing wear and tear on our roads is a persistent issue, mainly due to the cumulative weight of all these vehicles.

PS Pilgrim also highlighted that this initiative is directly aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7): ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for everyone.

Throughout the meeting, various members presented information representing diverse stakeholders.

The Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board representative, Arif Jonas, provided insights on Electric and Hybrid vehicles.

Meanwhile, Dwight Laviscount from the Ministry of Energy gave a presentation on identifying key challenges for the adaptation of EVs and Hybrids in Antigua and Barbuda.

Additional discussions centered around the Electric Vehicle duty waiver and the Environment Levy, as well as potential policy, regulatory frameworks, and policy targets.