Walking the Talk: NDC-TEC Kickstarts Electric Fleet Revolution in Saint Lucia with First IKI-Funded EVs
The NDC-TEC project launches its pilot phase in Castries, delivering the first wave of a 22-E-Vehicle fleet powered by the sun and driven by national climate ambition
NDC-TEC Programme Director, Ms Ina De Visser (right) hands over car entitlement to WASCO’s representative, Technical Services Manager, Mr Tera Victor (left). © Tecla Fontenard/NDC-TEC
The 2026 climate calendar in Saint Lucia has officially shifted into high gear. On March 4, the NDC-TEC project marked a pivotal moment in the island’s energy transition with the hand-over of the first four electric vehicles to the Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL).
This delivery represents the first set of a highly anticipated 22-vehicle demonstration pilot. Funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and implemented by GIZ alongside regional partners, the initiative is designed to move Saint Lucia’s national Energy Policy from paper to the pavement.
Motors Representative (right) orients GOSL officials with the features of the new E-Vehicle. © Tecla Fontenard/NDC-TEC
The first units were received by the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) and the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO). "By integrating these electric vehicles into our essential services, Saint Lucia is quite literally 'walking the talk,'" noted Ms. Lorraine Matthew, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure. “This initiative aligns perfectly with our National Energy Policy and our updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). We are demonstrating that our transition to a green economy is well underway, starting with the very departments that serve our citizens every day”, she added.
For the RSLPF, these are not just standard EVs, they are fully mission-ready, outfitted with professional sirens, communication gear and performance monitoring systems.
The NDC-TEC project isn’t just about replacing combustion engines; it’s about rethinking the energy grid. This IKI-funded intervention is contributing to national ecosystem for sustainable mobility, starting with the installation of solar-powered charging stations to ensure the new fleet runs on 100% clean, local energy. Ms. Ina de Visser, NDC-TEC Programme Director, highlighted the importance of this milestone saying: “This pilot allows many services of the Government of Saint Lucia to gain experience with fully electric vehicles in their operations. Experience will be shared between the services, as well as with other Caribbean countries. Large scale uptake of EVs combined with solar charging will contribute to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport and therefore contribute to the mitigation of climate change.”
Representatives of the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) receive the keys for two E-vehicles from NDC-TEC Programme Director, Ms Ina De Visser (centre). © Tecla Fontenard/NDC-TEC
While these first four units lead the way, they are only the beginning of a phased rollout that will soon deliver 18 additional vehicles to the Saint Lucia Fire Services, the Ministries of Education and Health and several other key departments.
This initial hand-over already signals to the global community that Saint Lucia is making tangible progress towards its ambitious NDC goal of a 30% electric government fleet by 2030.
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