At the heart of Expo Jamaica 2025 was a critical conversation on sustainability and the growing importance of clean energy adoption across industries. 

On Friday, April 4, at the National Arena and Indoor Sports Centre, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) hosted a high-impact panel discussion featuring leaders in energy, transportation, and business development.

Moderated by Dionne Nugent, director of business development at Jamaica Public Service (JPS), the discussion explored how clean energy is transforming business operations and boosting economic competitiveness. Electric mobility emerged as a central focus.

“We understand that this energy future is critical for us to push,” said Nugent. “At JPS, we’ve thrown our hat into the electric mobility ring. Our Charge ‘n Go network has made EV charging easier and faster than ever before. We are focused on building a sustainable and clean energy future.”

One company already making meaningful strides is CB Group. “We’re really big believers in sustainability,” said Alicia Bogues, head of regional development. “We’re the largest corporate user of solar in Jamaica, with just over 40 per cent of our operations powered by renewables. By 2030, we’ve committed to transitioning almost all of our fleet to EVs.”

The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is no longer just an environmental move—it’s a strategic business decision. With rising fuel prices and mounting maintenance costs, EVs offer a more financially viable option for many companies.

Sloane Jackson, head of business at BYD, a fully electric vehicle brand, highlighted the savings: “The cost to charge an EV is significantly lower than fuelling a combustion engine. Filling a petrol tank might cost J$10,000 to J$20,000, while a full EV charge typically costs between J$2,000 and J$5,000. With JPS’s fastest chargers, you can power up for 200 kilometres in just 15 minutes—about the same time you’d spend at a petrol station.”

Beyond cost, EVs also offer safety and operational benefits for commercial fleets. David Barrett, energy and mobility advisor at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), explained: “For fleet vehicles especially, the savings on fuelling and maintenance are massive. Built-in tracking apps and safer, more efficient designs completely transform the fleet experience.”

Barrett also raised concerns about Jamaica’s pace in comparison to its regional peers. While Jamaica currently operates just six electric buses, Barbados has up to 80, and several Latin American countries have hundreds. 

“If we want to compete on a regional level, especially in sectors like transportation and logistics, we must accelerate our transition to sustainable fleet solutions,” he said.

He commended the efforts of JPS and IDB Lab in addressing infrastructure challenges, implementing performance standards, and building a reliable EV ecosystem to support islandwide adoption.

The panel delivered a united message: the time to transition is now. With growing public-private collaboration, improved infrastructure, and clear economic benefits, Jamaica is well-positioned to lead the region in e-mobility adoption.