Since taking office the Bryan‐Roach Administration has expanded the number of electric vehicles in public service from six, to over 70 through the Government Operations Fleet Efficiency & Electrification Transition (GOFLEET) Initiative.
The Virgin Islands Energy Office made history this September when it coordinated the first‐ever locally sourced bulk procurement of electric vehicles for the Government of the Virgin Islands. All in all, the GVI through Metro Motors VI will purchase 18 EVs. This order includes five all‐electric, police‐upfitted cruisers like the NYPD vehicle pictured above, that will be deployed across the territory as well as eight additional Ford F‐150 Lightnings to strengthen the government fleet’s resilience and reduce operating costs.
As federal consumer support for electric vehicle purchases winds down this month with the sunsetting of Internal Revenue Service tax credits, Virgin Islands Energy Office Director Kyle Fleming reassures the public of the continuity of the Electric Mobility (EM) rebate program. EM is a VIEO program that offers Virgin Islands residents rebates of up to $5,000 for the purchase of a qualifying new or used electric vehicle, or up to $500 towards the purchase of an eligible electric bike.
IRS credits worth up to $7,500 for qualifying new electric vehicles, (EV) and as much as $4,000 for used EVs will expire after Sept. 30th due to provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. These tax credits, like EM, are designed to help consumers bridge the price gap between traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and EVs all while helping to reduce the amount of pollutants generated by vehicular traffic.
When EVs first made their commercial debut they were a lot more expensive than the alternative, with an average retail price as much as 50% higher than an ICE equivalent according to data compiled by automotive industry analyst JATO. The price gap between the powertrains has fallen precipitously in the intervening years, with data from 2024 showing that a new EV is likely to cost only 15% more than the retail price of a comparable new ICE vehicle. While on the aftermarket, used EVs are often selling for less than comparable gasoline models.
“Affordability, not luxury, is what defines EV adoption in the Virgin Islands,” Director Fleming said.
Since launching in 2024 VIEO has issued more than 45 EM rebates totalling in excess of $200,000. Cost data collected by VIEO shows that Virgin Islanders taking advantage of the rebate are making good use of the aftermarket, and are on average purchasing near new – 6,100 miles or less ‐ EVs for a pre‐rebate price of $32,500. The most popular manufacturers to date are Tesla and Nissan, together representing more than half of all rebated vehicles. A majority of EM rebates have been issued for used EVs, and nearly 90% have gone to vehicles purchased in the states and shipped into the territory by private individuals. To increase the options available to consumers and reduce the burdens inherent in bespoke vehicle importation, VIEO recently executed a subgrant agreement with Metro Motors VI that will make new EVs available for purchase on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The agency is also in the midst of coordinating with local used‐car dealers so more electric vehicles are available locally for residents to test drive and purchase.
Easing the price of purchase is just one prong of VIEO’s strategy to make EVs a sensible option in the territory. In 2024 VIEO began constructing public charging infrastructure in the territory, and before the end of the year completed the installation of eight Level II chargers on St. Croix. Since going live the chargers have been utilized more than 650 times, and displaced nearly 3,000 gallons of gasoline.
Infrastructure work remains ongoing, with the development of a resilient solar powered and battery coupled
Level III DC fast charger slated to be constructed at the University of the Virgin Island’s Albert Sheen Campus. And on St. Thomas, VIEO is currently finalizing the installation of eight chargers, and another four on St. John, all of which are going through utility hook up and final commissioning by the manufacturer.
“We are pairing consumer incentives with tangible commercial fleet leadership,” Fleming added. “By electrifying government operations, especially our most heavily utilized vehicles within the VIPD, we are cutting costs for taxpayers and showcasing reliable, modern transportation solutions that work for island conditions.”
To learn about EM program guidelines, apply, or delve deeper into other efforts currently underway by the Administration of Governor Albert Bryan Jr. to increase energy efficiency and resilience in the territory, please visit VIEO at energy.vi.gov for more information.
When the Bryan administration began, there were 6 Electric vehicles in the GVI fleet. The Launch of the
GOFLEET has seen exponential growth by adding over 70 electric vehicles to GVI fleet. This has been realized through historic funding in the form of over $4 million in federal funding to electrifying fleets.
St. Croix Source
Local government
