Electric Vehicles Gain Ground Across Trinidad and Tobago as Market Continues to Expand
Electric vehicles are becoming a more visible part of Trinidad and Tobago’s automotive market, with new models, changing tax policies and growing consumer interest pushing electric transportation further into the mainstream.
The shift has been gradual, but available registration data shows that Trinidad and Tobago has moved far beyond the days when only a handful of electric vehicles were entering the country.
Research published by the Inter-American Development Bank and The University of the West Indies found that only two electric vehicles were registered locally in 2016 and another two in 2017.
Registrations increased to 21 in 2018 and 49 in 2019, before falling to 25 in 2020 and 12 in 2021.
The biggest jump in that historical dataset came in 2022, when 141 electric vehicles were registered.
Researchers described EV registrations in Trinidad and Tobago as previously slow and inconsistent but accelerating, with vehicle availability and the country’s tax structure identified as major factors influencing adoption.
The market has continued to evolve since then.
By 2025 and 2026, a wider range of fully electric and hybrid vehicles was being offered locally, including models from established manufacturers as well as newer brands entering the Trinidad and Tobago market.
Recent dealer data also points to strong demand in particular segments.
Figures published in 2026 showed the fully electric BYD Sealion recording 172 sales during 2025 in the TT$400,000 to TT$500,000 price range, making it the strongest-selling vehicle reported in that bracket.
Electric models also performed strongly at higher price points. The Audi e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric were among the EVs appearing near the top of their respective categories in 2025 sales data.
Hybrid vehicles have become even more prominent.
Dealer figures for 2025 showed hybrid versions of several popular models substantially outselling their petrol-only equivalents.
The MG Excite Hybrid, for example, recorded 317 units in the under-TT$200,000 category, while its petrol counterpart recorded 37. The MG3 Hybrid also significantly outsold the petrol version of the same model.
The growing popularity of electrified vehicles is being supported by government policy, although the incentives have changed.
From January 1, 2025, Customs Duty, Value Added Tax and Online Purchase Tax were waived on electric vehicle parts, EV batteries and electric vehicle charging stations and chargers.
However, the Government adjusted its EV tax policy in the 2026 Budget.
From January 1, 2026, fully electric vehicles with a CIF value exceeding TT$400,000 became subject to a 10 per cent customs duty, 12.5 per cent VAT and a tiered Motor Vehicle Tax based on electric motor size.
The change means the strongest concessions are now concentrated on lower and mid-priced electric vehicles, while premium and luxury EVs face additional taxation.
That shift is significant because some of the strongest EV sales recorded locally have been in higher-priced categories.
At the same time, affordability is improving at the lower end of the market as more electric and hybrid models become available below the luxury price range.
Charging is another major factor.
The expansion of home charging technology has reduced dependence on public charging infrastructure for some motorists, while the tax exemptions on chargers and charging equipment have lowered some of the cost involved in setting up an EV at home.
Electric vehicles also offer motorists a different operating model from traditional petrol and diesel cars.
They do not require gasoline, have fewer moving drivetrain components and can be charged overnight at home where suitable electrical infrastructure is available.
However, the transition still comes with concerns.
Battery replacement costs, resale value, access to specialised technicians, charging availability outside the home and the initial purchase price remain important considerations for potential buyers.
Petrol and diesel vehicles still account for the majority of vehicles on Trinidad and Tobago’s roads, and electric vehicles remain a relatively small part of the overall national fleet.
But the direction of the market is increasingly clear.
Trinidad and Tobago has moved from registering just a few EVs a year to a market where fully electric vehicles are now competing strongly within several new-car price categories, while hybrids have become major sellers.
The transition is no longer simply about whether electric vehicles will arrive in Trinidad and Tobago.
They are already here.
The bigger question is how quickly affordability, charging infrastructure and consumer confidence will allow the market to grow from a developing trend into a mainstream part of everyday transportation.
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Electric Vehicles Gain Ground Across Trinidad and Tobago as More Drivers Consider Making the Switch
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Electric Vehicles Gain Ground
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Electric Vehicles Are Gaining Ground Across Trinidad and Tobago
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Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly noticeable part of Trinidad and Tobago’s automotive market.
Historical registration data shows just two EVs were registered in 2016, but that figure jumped to 141 in 2022 as availability and tax incentives improved.
Since then, more fully electric and hybrid models have entered the market, with recent dealer data showing EVs competing strongly in several vehicle price categories.
Hybrids are also becoming major sellers, with some hybrid models now significantly outselling their petrol equivalents.
Government policy continues to influence the transition.
Tax exemptions were introduced in 2025 for electric vehicle batteries, parts and charging equipment.
But from January 2026, higher-priced EVs valued above TT$400,000 CIF became subject to customs duty, VAT and Motor Vehicle Tax.
Petrol and diesel vehicles still dominate Trinidad and Tobago’s roads, but electric and hybrid vehicles are clearly becoming a bigger part of the market.
The transition has already started.
