Charging Ahead: Mapping Trinidad & Tobago's EV Infrastructure Journey

As Trinidad and Tobago steers towards a more sustainable future, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and tackling climate change, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has become a focal point. Central to this transition is the development of a reliable and accessible charging infrastructure. This review synthesizes available information up to April 2025, examining the progress made, the hurdles encountered, and the road ahead for EV charging stations in the nation.

Key Highlights

Growing Network: Significant strides have been made in establishing both public and private EV charging stations, driven by government initiatives and private sector investment, though geographical coverage remains a challenge.
Policy Support: Government incentives, such as tax exemptions for charging stations, alongside pilot programs, are actively encouraging the build-out of infrastructure and EV adoption.
Technological Integration: Advancements include the deployment of Level 2 chargers and plans for DC fast charging, complemented by smart solutions like mobile apps to locate stations and manage charging.

Laying the Groundwork: Historical Context and Policy Framework

From Early Steps to Strategic Initiatives

The journey towards establishing EV charging infrastructure in Trinidad and Tobago gained momentum in the late 2010s, accelerating significantly in the early 2020s. This growth aligns with global trends, where major automakers like Volkswagen and Daimler have committed to phasing out internal combustion engine (ICE) production around 2025, pushing towards a carbon-neutral world by 2050.

Government policies have been pivotal. Recognizing the need to support the burgeoning EV market, initiatives were launched to bolster infrastructure development. A key policy introduced in 2025 provides tax and duty exemptions for electric vehicle charging stations, aiming to stimulate investment and create a more holistic ecosystem for EV adoption. This builds upon earlier efforts, including pilot programs designed in collaboration with international partners like Climate Strategies US and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), focusing on creating actionable and financeable strategies for low-carbon transportation.

The Role of Public Consultations

Public consultations, as highlighted in the IDB's September 2024 report, have been crucial in shaping the strategy. These discussions addressed key concerns like range anxiety – the fear that an EV has insufficient range to reach its destination – and underscored the necessity of a visible and widespread public charging network to build user confidence and support the growing number of EVs on the road.

The Current Charging Landscape

Mapping Out Existing Infrastructure

While still developing, Trinidad and Tobago's EV charging network comprises a mix of public access points and private installations. Most EV charging historically occurred at home (Level 1), but dedicated infrastructure is expanding.

The first Level 2 EV charging station inspected by the Government Electrical Inspectorate, located at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.

Types of Charging Stations Available

Understanding the different charger types is essential:

Level 1 Charging: Uses a standard household outlet (120V). It's the slowest method, typically adding a few miles of range per hour, suitable for overnight charging at home for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) or EVs with smaller batteries.
Level 2 Charging: Requires a 208-240V circuit, similar to what large appliances use. These are significantly faster than Level 1, making them common for both home installations and public charging stations. A Level 2 charger can typically fully charge an EV overnight or add substantial range in a few hours.
Level 3 Charging (DC Fast Charging): Offers the quickest charging speeds, using direct current (DC) power. These high-power stations (often 50 kW or more) can charge an EV battery to 80% in roughly 20-30 minutes, depending on the vehicle and station specifications. They are primarily found along major routes and in commercial areas.

Key Public and Private Charging Locations

Several entities have spearheaded the installation of charging stations:

Academic Institutions: The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus, hosts a landmark Level 2 (230-volt) station, installed via collaboration with Massy Motors, EVCOTT, and BELEC Power and Energy Solutions Limited.
Energy Companies: UNIPET has installed chargers, including at its Brentwood Avenue, Chaguanas location, with plans to introduce more powerful DC fast chargers. They also launched the U-Charge app.
Automotive Dealerships: Porsche Centre Trinidad established early public charging points at locations like the Hilton Trinidad Hotel and Conference Centre and Piarco Plaza. Massy Motors has also been active, launching stations including the first in Tobago.
Other Public Locations: Chargers are reportedly available at sites like Brentwood Mall, Jenny's on the Boulevard (Port of Spain), the NP Couva Overpass Service Station, and Queen's Hall (St. Ann's).
Workplace Charging: Companies like Nutrien have installed chargers at their facilities (e.g., Trinidad Nitrogen site) for employee use.
Support Companies: The Electric Vehicle Company of Trinidad and Tobago (EVCOTT) provides chargers, management software, and consultancy services. ChargeTT.com serves as a directory and news platform for EV users.

EV Charger Types Overview

The table below summarizes the characteristics of the different EV charging levels commonly discussed in the context of Trinidad and Tobago's infrastructure development.

Charger Level	Voltage	Typical Power Output	Approx. Charging Time (Full Charge)	Common Locations	Primary Use Case
Level 1	120V AC	1.4 kW - 1.9 kW	12-20+ hours	Home (Standard Outlet)	Overnight charging, PHEVs
Level 2	208-240V AC	3.3 kW - 19.2 kW	4-8 hours	Home (Dedicated Circuit), Workplace, Public Stations (Malls, Universities)	Primary charging for most BEVs
Level 3 (DC Fast Charging)	400-1000V DC	50 kW - 350+ kW	20-60 minutes (to 80%)	Public Charging Hubs, Highway Corridors	Rapid charging, long-distance travel

Note: Charging times are estimates and vary based on battery size, vehicle specifications, and charger power output. Not all EVs support the maximum speeds of Level 3 chargers.

Technological Integration and User Experience

Smart Solutions for Seamless Charging

Beyond physical hardware, technology plays a crucial role in the EV charging experience. Mobile applications are emerging to help drivers locate available stations, initiate charging sessions, and manage payments.

Unipet EV Charger and U-Charge App Promotion

Unipet Energy's initiative includes both charging hardware and the U-Charge app to enhance user convenience.

Mobile Apps and Management Systems

Unipet Energy's U-Charge App is a prime example, designed to alleviate range anxiety by providing real-time information on station availability and helping users optimize their EV's performance. Similarly, companies like EVCOTT offer Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) compliant applications, enabling standardized communication between charging stations and central management systems for both private and public networks. These platforms often incorporate features like RFID authentication or app-based payment systems, as mentioned by the Trinidad and Tobago Green Building Council (TTGBC).

EV Charging Ecosystem Status Radar

This chart provides a visual assessment of the current state of various aspects influencing EV charging infrastructure development in Trinidad and Tobago, based on the reviewed literature. The scores (out of 10) represent an interpretation of progress and maturity in each area as of early 2025.

The chart suggests strong private sector involvement and supportive policy frameworks, while highlighting areas needing further development, particularly in public infrastructure availability, nationwide coverage, and user awareness.

Overcoming Hurdles: Challenges and Considerations

Addressing the Roadblocks to Widespread Adoption

Despite progress, several significant challenges hinder the full potential of EV adoption and charging infrastructure development in Trinidad and Tobago:

Limited Public Charging Network: The most frequently cited barrier is the insufficient number of publicly accessible charging stations, especially outside major urban centers and in Tobago. This scarcity fuels range anxiety and makes EVs less practical for long-distance travel or for users without reliable home charging (e.g., taxi drivers).
High Cost of Equipment: The upfront cost of purchasing and installing charging stations (EVSE), particularly Level 2 and Level 3 units, remains substantial. Costs cited range from approximately TT$16,000 for Level 1/2 systems to nearly TT$70,000 for more advanced setups, discouraging investment by businesses and individuals.
Need for Standardization and Guidelines: While bodies like the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) oversee installations, a clear, comprehensive national policy framework with specific targets, standardized protocols, and institutional oversight (like a dedicated national EV unit) is still evolving.
Consumer Awareness and Education: More effort is needed to educate the public about the benefits of EVs (cost savings, environmental impact) and the practicalities of charging, helping to overcome misconceptions and encourage adoption.
Grid Capacity and Integration: As EV adoption grows, ensuring the national electricity grid can handle the increased demand, particularly during peak charging times, requires careful planning and potential upgrades. Integrating charging with renewable energy sources is also a key consideration for long-term sustainability.

Visualizing the EV Charging Ecosystem

This mindmap provides a structured overview of the key components and relationships within Trinidad and Tobago's EV charging landscape, highlighting the interconnectedness of infrastructure, policy, stakeholders, and challenges.

mindmap root["EV Charging in Trinidad & Tobago"] id1["Infrastructure"] id1a["Types"] id1a1["Level 1 (Home)"] id1a2["Level 2 (Public/Home/Work)"] id1a3["Level 3 (DC Fast Charging - Planned/Emerging)"] id1b["Locations"] id1b1["Public Stations
(UWI, Unipet, Malls, Plazas, Service Stations)"] id1b2["Private/Workplace
(Homes, Dealerships, Corporate Sites)"] id1b3["Geographic Distribution
(Urban focus, Tobago emerging)"] id2["Stakeholders"] id2a["Government"] id2a1["Policy & Incentives (Tax exemptions)"] id2a2["Regulatory Bodies (GEI, Min. of Public Utilities)"] id2a3["T&TEC (Grid Operator)"] id2b["Private Sector"] id2b1["Energy Companies (Unipet)"] id2b2["Automotive (Porsche, Massy Motors)"] id2b3["EV Service Providers (EVCOTT, ChargeTT)"] id2b4["Corporate Adopters (Nutrien)"] id2c["Academia (UWI)"] id2d["Public"] id3["Policy & Initiatives"] id3a["Tax Exemptions (2025)"] id3b["Pilot Programs (IDB, Climate Strategies US)"] id3c["National Framework (Developing)"] id3d["Alignment with Vision 2030"] id4["Challenges"] id4a["Limited Public Network"] id4b["Range Anxiety"] id4c["High Cost of EVSE"] id4d["Geographical Gaps"] id4e["Standardization Needs"] id4f["Grid Impact Concerns"] id4g["Consumer Education Gap"] id5["Technology & Solutions"] id5a["Smart Charging Apps (U-Charge)"] id5b["OCPP Compliance"] id5c["Payment Systems (RFID, App-based)"] id6["Future Outlook"] id6a["Network Expansion (Highways, Rural)"] id6b["Increased DC Fast Charging"] id6c["Job Creation (Maintenance, Training)"] id6d["Integration with Renewables"] id6e["Fleet Conversion Support"]

Future Directions and Opportunities

Powering Forward: The Road Ahead

The trajectory for EV charging in Trinidad and Tobago points towards continued growth, driven by both necessity and opportunity. Global projections suggest over half of all vehicles could be electric by 2040, and Trinidad and Tobago is positioning itself to be part of this shift.

Strategic Expansion and Investment

Future efforts are expected to focus on strategically expanding the charging network, potentially using optimization models to identify ideal locations that consider demand, equity, and integration with transportation routes. Continued investment, fostered by public-private partnerships and sustained government incentives, is crucial. There's a particular need to deploy more Level 3 DC fast chargers to support longer journeys and reduce charging times significantly.

Building Capacity and Sustainability

Developing human capital is also key. Training programs focused on the installation, management, and repair of EV charging infrastructure and vehicles themselves can create new employment opportunities, particularly for youth. Aligning the expansion of EV infrastructure with renewable energy generation will be vital for ensuring the environmental benefits of electrification are fully realized and contribute meaningfully to the nation's sustainable development goals, including those outlined in Vision 2030.

Spotlight: UWI's Landmark Charging Station

The installation of the first government-inspected Level 2 charging station at The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus, represents a significant milestone. This project, resulting from collaboration between UWI, Massy Motors, EVCOTT, and BELEC Power and Energy Solutions, serves as a model for institutional adoption and highlights the integration of academic research and practical implementation in the field. The video below provides more context on this pioneering initiative.

This station not only provides a practical charging solution for the campus community but also serves as a symbol of the country's commitment to embracing sustainable transportation technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What types of EV chargers are available in Trinidad and Tobago?

Currently, Level 1 (slow, typically home-based) and Level 2 (medium speed, found in homes, workplaces, and public locations) chargers are the most common. While Level 3 (DC Fast Charging) stations are less prevalent, there are plans by companies like Unipet to introduce them for much faster charging.

Where can I find public EV charging stations?

Public charging stations have been installed at various locations, including The University of the West Indies (St. Augustine), select Unipet service stations (e.g., Brentwood), Porsche Centre locations (e.g., Hilton Trinidad, Piarco Plaza), Massy Motors outlets, Brentwood Mall, Jenny's on the Boulevard, the NP Couva Overpass service station, and Queen's Hall. Mobile apps like Unipet's U-Charge and websites like ChargeTT.com can help locate stations.

Are there government incentives for setting up charging stations?

Yes, as of 2025, the government introduced tax and duty exemptions specifically for electric vehicle charging stations. This policy aims to encourage investment and accelerate the expansion of the charging network.

What are the main challenges facing EV charging in Trinidad and Tobago?

Key challenges include the limited number and geographical spread of public charging stations (contributing to range anxiety), the high cost of purchasing and installing charging equipment (EVSE), the need for a more comprehensive national policy and standardization, and raising public awareness and education about EVs and charging.

How long does it take to charge an EV in Trinidad and Tobago?

Charging time depends heavily on the type of charger and the vehicle's battery size. Level 1 can take over 12-20 hours for a full charge. Level 2 chargers typically take 4-8 hours for a full charge. Planned Level 3 (DC Fast Chargers) aim to charge a battery to 80% in about 20-60 minutes.

References

Electric Vehicles in Trinidad and Tobago - Chargett.com
Advancing Electric Mobility in Trinidad and Tobago: Results from Local Public Consultations - IADB
The UWI's Electric Vehicle Station: Powering Ecological Energy on Campus - UWI St. Augustine
T&T’s path to a brighter future (Mentions 2025 Tax Exemptions) - Trinidad Express
Going electric: Dinas Polly invest in e-cars (Discusses challenges) - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Unipet Energy unveils U-Charge App: Fuelling EV growth - Loop News
The Electric Vehicle Company of Trinidad and Tobago (EVCOTT) - EVCOTT