Antigua and Barbuda is leading the way in the Caribbean sustainability efforts in transitioning to electric vehicles. Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia are also leading the way in investing heavily in electric vehicles.
Although all small, these islands are making significant contributions to climate action by systematically replacing fossil-fuel transport with sustainable alternatives.
The shift isn’t merely environmental, there is an element of economic survival too. Small island developing states face existential threats from climate change despite their minimal contribution to global emissions.
For these island states, breaking dependence on imported fossil fuels represents climate action and economic resilience, as the transition creates vital new business opportunities. Local entrepreneurs are developing charging infrastructure, battery services and renewable energy solutions, generating skilled jobs and fostering innovation uniquely suited to island economies.
Additionally, electric mobility addresses a critical health challenge. Vehicle emissions contribute to the Caribbean’s non-communicable disease burden. In Barbados alone, this burden is estimated to impact the regional gross domestic product by around US$75 million annually. By reducing air pollution, e-mobility can improve public health and reduce this economic burden, experts say.
Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment shines through its partnership with the Sustainable Low-Carbon Island Management project. Nine electric minibuses are now undergoing trials in its public transport system. The project supports the government’s ambitious goal of transitioning from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles by 2040.
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