WHEN Dinanath Ramnarine and Kieron Pollard – more widely known for their skills when they were West Indies cricketers – launched GoElectricTT on December 7, they weren’t just unveiling a business – they were aiming to set a precedent in Trinidad and Tobago’s emerging green economy.
Their venture, an electric vehicle (EV) leasing and taxi service, is backed by the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) innovation arm, IDB Lab, and aims to reduce emissions while promoting sustainable practices, in a country still dominated by internal combustion engines.
Ramnarine said during the launch, “This is not just the unveiling of a company; it is the beginning of a journey that symbolises our unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and making a meaningful impact in TT.”
Attended by key government figures, including Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young and Minister of Planning and Development Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, the launch was backed by strong government support.
The concept for GoElectricTT started as an idea to tackle rising emissions in TT.
But as Ramnarine said: “Great ideas need collaboration and support to become realities.”
The idea gained traction after discussions with then-IDB country head Carina Cockburn, who facilitated the funding process. The IDB Lab committed US$500,000 in reimbursable financing, alongside a US$150,000 grant, to support the venture.
GoElectricTT offers both short and long-term EV rentals, focusing on businesses with fleet demands. Its fleet currently consists of 15 electric vehicles.
“We’re making electric mobility more accessible,” said Julian Belgrave, the IDB’s current country representative.
Belgrave also highlighted the environmental importance of the initiative, noting that carbon emissions in the transportation sector could rise by 310 per cent by 2040 if current trends continue.
“GoElectricTT could help reverse this trajectory,” he said. “They’re not just launching a business – they’re introducing a movement.”
GoElectricTT’s mission extends beyond just fleet leasing. The founders have also invested in Blewcoast, a firm dedicated to emissions measurement and decarbonisation.
“Blewcoast is totally in sync with our objectives to build awareness and drive solutions to the global carbon reduction challenge,” said Ramnarine.
The companies could leverage their combined resources to create a comprehensive sustainability ecosystem.
Ramnarine and Pollard have personally bought EVs from the fleet.
Pollard said, “This is about sustainability and securing the future for the next generation,” stressing that unless urgent action is taken to confront climate change and greenwashing (deceptive PR or advertising, giving the false impression that a product is environmentally friendly), future generations will face dire consequences.
The government’s endorsement was clear at the event. Young praised the founders for their courage in making a personal investment in such a venture.
“The first important point that I want to congratulat
