In a push to cut fossil fuel dependence and slash carbon emissions from the transportation sector, Belize has committed to accelerating its transition to electric mobility through a cross-regional sustainable transport initiative backed by Taiwan and the Central American Integration System (SICA). The collaborative project, launched in 2026, will center specifically on Belize to assess the practicality of expanding the nation’s electric bus fleet and building out a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations, while leveraging insights and expertise from early regional adopters of low-carbon transport.
Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Chief Executive Officer of Belize’s Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics, represented the nation in recent working discussions focused on advancing the initiative. He highlighted that the entire Central American region, coordinated through SICA, shares a collective goal of boosting electric vehicle adoption, driven primarily by commitments to cut environmental harm and improve air quality across the bloc.
The project is currently conducting a targeted diagnostic analysis of Belize’s current transportation landscape to map out a realistic transition timeline for phasing out diesel and gasoline-powered public transit vehicles in favor of electric alternatives. According to Almendarez, two SICA member states – Costa Rica and Panama – have already achieved far higher electric vehicle penetration than the rest of the region, with Costa Rica emerging as a clear regional leader in sustainable transport policy and deployment. Belize plans to draw heavily on these countries’ hands-on experience to avoid common pitfalls and streamline its own transition.
A key challenge the initiative will address is the high upfront purchase cost of electric vehicles, a major barrier for private bus and fleet operators in Belize. Almendarez noted that the project will collect and share empirical data to demonstrate the long-term financial benefits of electric mobility to local vehicle owners, who were included in recent working sessions to ensure stakeholder input guides the initiative’s design.
Almendarez pointed out that beyond environmental benefits, electric transport offers significant financial stability for Belize, a nation that is fully reliant on imported fossil fuels with no control over global price volatility. “If you were running from Belize City to Cayo, you’ll find out that it’s much cheaper” to operate an electric vehicle compared to a gasoline or diesel bus, he explained, noting that lower and more stable operating costs offset the higher initial investment over the vehicle’s lifespan.