– STARR-LOOP EV charging solution to reduce country’s carbon footprint

THE environmental benefits of going electric are clear, and local tech giant STARR Computer plans to introduce a universal electric vehicle (EV) charging solution in Guyana within the first half of 2023 as the government removes the 14 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on the importation of new electric vehicles (EVs).

This is according to President of STARR Computer, Mike Mohan, in an interview with this publication at Guyana’s second International Energy Conference and Expo at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday.

Although Mohan doesn’t have a booth at the conference, he collaborates with three agencies: AmCham Guyana, GTT, and WASA Enterprise.

He noted that the proliferation of eco-friendly electric vehicles is becoming an irresistible trend, and the government has already taken note in keeping with its commitment to developing the country along a low-carbon pathway.

All forms of electric vehicles, he said, can help improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions.

Additionally, he said the government would also support businesses that invest in more environmentally friendly vehicles by increasing the write-down allowance applicable to all EVs to 50 per cent annually.

Underscoring that Guyana is at the very beginning of its electric vehicle transition, Mohan said his company would be offering charging systems this year and in multiple versions, including the EV-Flex Lite Level 2 Station for home users and the EV-Fleet Level 2 Charging Solution for communities and small shopping malls, along with the EV-Fast Level 2 Charge Station that is suitable for revenue generating business which can full charge between 15 to 60 minutes.

He explained that the STARR-LOOP EV charging solution aims to help reduce the country’s carbon footprint by promoting and supporting the growth of EVs and chargers in the country.

“The solution includes the option of a 10KW solar installation that will allow consumers to charge their vehicles for free. In addition to creating employment opportunities for renewable energy installers, the initiative aims to generate revenue for users and help Guyana create an increased surplus to its green economy,” Mohan emphasised.

The STARR Computer President said that the global EV market size reached 18.1 Million Units in 2022 and expects to reach 148.4 Million Units by 2028.

In underscoring the benefits, Mohan said electric vehicles represent self-propelling automobiles that are widely used to transport goods and passengers from one place to another.

He highlighted that such vehicles generally include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), amongst others.

These vehicles, he explained, run on the energy stored in batteries and are charged by self-charging devices, such as regenerative braking systems and turbochargers, that can convert kinetic energy into electrical energy.

“In line with this, EVs reduce the dependency on oil, do not emit tailpipe emissions, and are more economical to operate than traditionally utilised automobiles. Consequently, they are gaining extensive traction across the globe,” he added.

Further, he said that the expanding automotive industry and the inflating levels of urbanisation are primarily driving the electric vehicle market.
Besides this, he noted government bodies across countries are launching favorable initiatives to encourage sustainable development by offering several benefits, such as subsidies, low buying costs, tax exemptions, free charging facilities, amongst others which are acting as significant growth-inducing factors.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) expects the first electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, part of a pilot project, to arrive this month.

The government does not expect widespread importation of EVs to occur at this juncture but sees the installation of charging stations as a catalyst.