UWI Launches Electric Mobility Lab to Advance Caribbean Transportation

The University of the West Indies (UWI) has opened a new Electric Mobility Laboratory at its Mona campus in Jamaica, positioning the institution as a regional leader in sustainable transport.

The lab aims to advance research, training, and innovation to accelerate the Caribbean’s shift to electric transportation. Established through collaboration between UWI’s Department of Physics, the JPS Foundation, and the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the facility received $75,000 in initial funding from the JPS Foundation via the Inter-American Development Bank’s eDrive program.

“This provides a dedicated space for experimentation and collaboration, creating a home for the next generation who will shape Jamaica’s electric mobility transformation,” said Lisandra Rickards of IDB Lab.

UWI Mona officials emphasized the lab’s role in structured regional capacity-building. “It represents a significant step toward low-carbon, climate-resilient transportation in the Caribbean,” said Professor Michael Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology.

UWI Principal, Professor Denzil Williams stated the initiative addresses one of the century’s most pressing challenges, underscoring the university’s commitment to developing practical solutions for a sustainable future.