Anna Quarez hesitates as she examines an e-bike in a shop on Tourtonnelaan.
“I want to buy one for my daughter to get to school. She’s sixteen, and the school isn’t far,” she says in a heavy Brasilian accent to de Ware Tijd.
The salesperson delivers a smooth sales pitch, and Quarez appears convinced. Notably, neither ‘safety’ nor ‘environmental benefits’ are mentioned as reasons for her purchase.
E-bikes are increasingly seen on the streets of Suriname. There are very small ones that do not go much faster than a speedy bicycle, but also larger ones that reach a maximum of sixty kilometres per hour. In addition, there is a franchise of the Chinese car giant Build Your Dream (BYD) that offers electric and hybrid cars in Suriname. In all cases, sales appear to be doing well. “Many people buy e-bikes because they do not have to refuel. But I tell them: ‘If you want to go far, buy a moped’,” says the salesperson at the shop on Tourtonnelaan. “I love my moped myself. We do not have environmental problems in Suriname, do we?” he adds when asked whether electric vehicles are better for the environment.
“After eight hours, the car is fully charged, but because we do not drive that far in Suriname, two hours of charging is sufficient after a day.” – Ifmorel Becker, BYD Suriname
The saleswoman at an official e-bike dealer on Keizerstraat confirms that saving money is the primary motive for buyers. “I have not had anyone buy one specifically to go green. We have had companies purchase a number of them because it fits within their corporate social responsibility objectives to be more environmentally friendly. But individual buyers choose them because they are cheaper.”
The transport sector and emissions
The transport sector is one of the key contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. These gases are largely responsible for global warming. The transition to electric vehicles would significantly reduce these emissions. Suriname, which currently absorbs more greenhouse gases through its 92.6 percent forest cover than it produces, is also aware that its transport sector must become less dependent on fossil fuels.
Suriname’s green goals
In 2023, the Gap Analysis ‘High-Level Gap Assessment of the Suriname Market Conditions for the Introduction of Electric Mobility’ was carried out. This study identified several challenges the country must overcome to successfully introduce electric vehicles.
The analysis revealed that the transport sector contributes approximately 43 percent of Suriname’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Transport emissions increased by 200 percent between 2000 and 2017 and by 100 percent between 2007 and 2017.
Suriname has committed to switching entirely to renewable sources for electricity supply in the energy sector by 2060. The country also aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by 35 percent by 2030.
Marciano Dasai has been Minister of the Ministry of Spatial Planning and the Environment (ROM) since 2023. Before that, environmental policy was the responsibility of the Office of the President. ROM is a small ministry with big ambitions but a limited staff. Its role is to translate the government’s ambitious objectives into actionable policies. Dasai acknowledges that raising awareness is a government responsibility and believes that better information campaigns will encourage more people to choose electric vehicles consciously.
Reducing greenhouse gases
Projections in the Gap Analysis suggest that a 5 percent switch to electric passenger cars and other light-duty vehicles could reduce fuel consumption by 8,285,030 litres and CO2 emissions by 22,784 tonnes in 2030. Both values represent about 4 percent of total road transport fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Dasai agrees that Suriname should invest in infrastructure and implement the recommendations of the Gap Analysis, but he acknowledges the obstacles. “Energy transition costs a lot of money. We certainly want to implement the measures outlined. We also want to develop infrastructure to support electric vehicle use. But that too requires a significant financial investment.”
Suriname hopes to generate the necessary funds by extracting and selling fossil fuels from the deep sea. According to the minister, the country does not have enough money to invest in the required infrastructure without these developments or financial compensation for preserving its forests.
Infrastructure challenges
Installing public charging stations presents additional difficulties, according to the director of Energy Companies Suriname, Leo Brunswijk. Speaking at a press conference about the energy crisis, he noted, “We first need to determine whether the distribution network can handle it. Then we must assess the feasibility of supplying electricity to charging stations at specific locations. In Suriname, electricity is not available everywhere, as we know.”
Climate change and the energy crisis
Current challenges also stem from climate change. “We are now facing an energy crisis due to climate change. Fifty percent of our power supply depends on hydropower. However, due to minimal rainfall in recent months, we are experiencing energy shortages—let alone having excess energy available to charge cars,” the minister explains.
Suriname experienced historically low rainfall in the interior at the end of 2024, causing the water level in the reservoir, which generates hydropower, to drop further. The current water level is 239.20 feet—14.60 feet below the long-term historical average of 253.80 feet over the past thirty years.
The lowest recorded water level was in 2005, at 238.78 feet. If rainfall remains scarce, Suriname will need to import emergency power in March and April. This would increase fossil fuel dependency by more than thirty Megawatts—a significant setback to the country’s goal of reducing reliance on polluting heavy oil.
BYD Suriname’s approach
The 2023 Gap Analysis highlights opportunities alongside challenges. One recommendation is to promote public-private partnerships to expand the electrification of the transport sector beyond government initiatives. According to Ifmorel Becker, BYD Suriname did not wait for government action.
The BYD franchise building appears futuristic, with white, grey, and glass interiors. The brightly coloured cars add warmth to the showroom. “We have the future in mind, and after conducting a study, we introduced this brand in Suriname.” Becker gestures around the showroom: “This building also uses renewable energy. We operate on 70 percent solar energy.”
BYD is confident that as Suriname’s oil and gas sector develops, there will be greater demand for environmentally friendly cars. The company believes that with increased prosperity, a new car priced at 25,000 US dollars with a repayment arrangement should already be affordable for the upper class of the lower-income bracket in Suriname. Becker argues that the lack of public charging infrastructure is not a significant limitation.
Safety risks and regulatory gaps
Becker’s research confirms findings in the Gap Analysis: Surinamese people drive relatively short distances. “With a power supply of 220 volts and 32 amps, you can charge these cars and travel 350 kilometres. After eight hours, the car is fully charged, consuming as much electricity as a 32,000 BTU air conditioner. But because we do not drive long distances in Suriname, a two-hour charge is sufficient after a day.” BYD is considering investing in a charging station in the Nickerie district, 182 kilometres from Paramaribo.
However, for now, most citizens seem to prefer e-bikes. This presents major safety risks, as e-bikes are virtually silent. Additionally, there is no legislation regulating their use, such as mandatory inspections or helmet requirements. Dasai acknowledges this gap. “That is another issue that needs addressing. The Ministry of Justice and Police is working on it.”
The 2023 Gap Analysis also identifies safety as a key concern. It notes that e-vehicles are extremely quiet, making them difficult to detect. Milton Kensmil, spokesperson for the Suriname Police Force, confirms that police inspections now focus on ensuring e-bikes and e-vehicles are equipped with horns to alert other road users.
“We also want to develop infrastructure to support electric vehicles, but that too requires significant financial investment.”
Kensmil also reports that many young people under sixteen ride e-bikes, which is illegal. A draft driving decree at the National Assembly proposes that individuals aged sixteen and older who wish to ride a moped must take a modified driving test. “We are waiting for the DNA to discuss this,” Kensmil states.
Meanwhile, some companies have voluntarily begun offering helmets, inspections, and insurance with e-vehicle purchases. “We insure our vehicles, and they undergo inspections,” Becker confirms.
According to the Gap Analysis, inspection sites in 2023 lacked adequate equipment to assess battery capacity, electrical systems, and acceleration—simpler than in fossil fuel cars. However, BYD claims to have sufficient technical staff to monitor these aspects independently.
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This story was originally published by DWT Online, with the support of the Caribbean Energy Transition Media Mentorship, by Climate Tracker Caribbean.
