In light of the rapid evolution of clean transportation in a growing list of markets globally, Interenergy, the parent company of Evergo, has said it expects to see increased interest in electric vehicles (EVs) locally, especially now as Jamaica continues to push toward its renewable energy ambitions.

Rolando González Bunster, chairman of Interenergy, speaking at the recently concluded Dominican Republic-Jamaica Business Forum, said that greater investments in the area of renewables is currently being earmarked for the country.

“We are firm believers in Jamaica — the present and the future. Jamaica is the jewel of the Caribbean, and we are committed to being an integral part of its progress. That’s why soon we will be announcing quite a bit of additional investing, especially in the area of renewables,” he said.

Reflecting on the evolution of the energy landscape, he said the country is well-positioned to serve as a global example of sustainable energy practices.

With his company having led the build-out of approximately 15,000 charging stations across Latin America and the Caribbean in the last few years, the chairman affirmed Evergo’s commitment to removing barriers to EV adoption locally.

Refuting claims about a purported slowdown of EVs globally, González Bunster pointed to ambitious mandates by major automotive manufacturers, such as Volvo and Volkswagen, which have indicated that they plan to cease their production of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by the end of this decade. Regulatory initiatives in cities like New York and London, where electric vehicle adoption has been mandated, he said, further signal an irreversible shift towards electrification.

In envisioning a future where countries like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica will lead the charge towards 100 per cent EV transportation, he expressed further optimism that they will also leverage clean energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro to help in reducing emissions as the world ushers in a new era of sustainability.

“The world will force us into these things, and I am so thrilled about how I see the future because I see that everyone is working in that direction. I may not see the full story, but at least my children and grandchildren will,” González Bunster said.

According to data from the Global EV Outlook 2024 report, global EV sales are set to remain robust, reaching 17 million units this year.

“That would mean a just over 20 per cent year-on-year increase from the nearly 14 million electric cars sold last year,” the report stated.

Working with its local subsidiary, the Jamaica Energy Partners Group (JEP), Interenergy said it has for a number of years supported the strategic placement of charging stations islandwide. This, as it also led the development of a comprehensive ecosystem which comprises home chargers, fleet charging, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) cards as well as a smartphone app to facilitate charger location and reservation.

With plans afoot to launch Evergo Connect — its state-of-the-art charging hub facility powered by 100 per cent by renewable energy for EVs — Evergo Jamaica said it is looking to replicate the model locally as it revolutionises electric mobility in Jamaica and beyond.

Launched in the Dominican Republic earlier this month, Evergo Connect features 29 fully equipped charging spots, each outfitted with ultra-fast chargers capable of replenishing an electric vehicle’s battery in under 20 minutes, depending on its capacity. The chargers, which cater not only to passenger vehicles but also cargo transportation needs, seamlessly integrate cutting-edge technology and sustainability initiatives with modern amenities, offering users a tailored charging experience within a comfortable environment.

“Our goal is to continue our growth in the region and serve as a model for promoting electric mobility and environmental sustainability. Through our network, we have already mitigated over 2.5 million kilograms of CO2 emissions, and we are committed to making an even greater impact on the journey towards a greener future,” González Bunster said in a recent release, following an announcement from the company.