CARICOM Urged to Harmonise Ev Standards
Regional experts at a CARICOM forum urged member states to adopt harmonised, locally suited standards for electric vehicle (EV) charging to ensure safety, reliability and interoperability. The advice, delivered by Dr Soren Maloney of Ziklag Consulting, highlighted the need for lifecycle rules, stakeholder consultation and capacity-building—measures that have clear implications for the British Virgin Islands as EV adoption grows.
Regional officials at a recent CARICOM forum were urged to establish stronger, harmonised standards for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to protect users and ensure systems work seamlessly across member states. Delivering the feature presentation, Dr Soren Maloney, Director of Ziklag Consulting Group Company Limited, warned that CARICOM countries are moving at different speeds in developing standards, creating compatibility challenges.
He pointed to small technical workforces, limited budgets and weak regulatory capacity as barriers that leave some territories exposed to safety and interoperability risks. Using Guyana’s project as an example, Dr Maloney outlined practical steps countries should adopt when developing EV charging standards: clear lifecycle rules covering planning, installation, operation, inspection and decommissioning; defined siting and installation qualifications; and explicit safety requirements.
He also stressed the need for broad stakeholder consultation and training, noting Guyana circulated draft standards for written feedback, held face-to-face consultations and provided training before finalising its framework. “You can’t cut and paste standards from other regions or countries,” Dr Maloney said, arguing standards must reflect local conditions, market maturity and the scale of EV uptake.
He also cautioned against locking regimes into a single technology, urging flexibility as the EV industry evolves. For the British Virgin Islands, the lessons are directly relevant. Harmonised regional standards would make it easier for residents and visitors to use charging infrastructure across neighbouring Caribbean territories, reduce safety risks associated with ad hoc installations, and provide clear rules for local installers and regulators.
They would also help attract investment in charging networks and support the transition to cleaner transport that many BVI stakeholders are considering. Local authorities, utilities and private firms will need targeted training and regulatory support to implement effective standards.
Given the Territory’s small scale and reliance on tourism and rental fleets, a phased, locally adapted approach—combined with regional coordination—could lower costs while ensuring interoperability and future-proofing infrastructure. CARICOM officials said harmonised standards would not only support cleaner transportation but also strengthen regional energy planning.
For small island jurisdictions like the BVI, careful design, capacity-building and collaboration across the region will be essential to reap the benefits of electrified transport without creating new risks or barriers.
Primary source: BVI News