Antigua and Barbuda’s partnership with Octopus Energy is moving from commitment to practical delivery, with a fleet of electric vehicles now en route to the country for use during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), from 1–4 November 2026.
The vehicles, being provided with the support of Octopus Energy, will form part of the official transportation arrangements for Heads of Government and other delegates attending CHOGM. Their deployment will help reduce the use of conventional petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles and contribute to lowering the transport-related carbon footprint of the international meeting.
The initiative represents the first tangible deliverable under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in New York by Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne and Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation.
The partnership is designed to support Antigua and Barbuda’s transition towards a cleaner, more affordable and resilient energy future, with cooperation focused on electric mobility, renewable energy, battery storage and smart-energy technologies.
For Antigua and Barbuda, the arrival of the vehicles is also an important demonstration that the country’s international advocacy on climate change is being matched by practical action at home.
As a Small Island Developing State on the front lines of the climate crisis, Antigua and Barbuda has consistently maintained that meaningful climate leadership requires countries to translate commitments into action and pursue solutions that strengthen sustainability, resilience and energy security.
Prime Minister Browne welcomed the progress being made under the partnership.
“Antigua and Barbuda has consistently argued that climate leadership must be demonstrated through action. As we welcome Commonwealth leaders to our shores, we are equally conscious of our responsibility to host CHOGM in a manner that reflects the values and priorities we continue to champion internationally.
“International meetings of this scale must increasingly be organised in ways that reduce their environmental impact. By incorporating electric vehicles into the official transportation programme for CHOGM, Antigua and Barbuda is leading by example and demonstrating that sustainability can be integrated into the delivery of major international events.
“For Small Island Developing States, electric mobility is about much more than replacing one type of vehicle with another. It is part of reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels, strengthening energy security, improving air quality and building a more resilient economy.
“This partnership with Octopus Energy demonstrates what can be achieved when international cooperation is translated into practical results that benefit our people.”
CHOGM 2026 will bring together leaders, ministers and representatives from across the 56-member Commonwealth under the theme, “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”
As host country, Antigua and Barbuda is seeking to ensure that CHOGM delivers not only a successful diplomatic programme, but also demonstrates how major international gatherings can embrace more sustainable practices.
The deployment of electric vehicles during CHOGM complements the Government’s broader efforts to modernise the national transportation sector and accelerate the transition towards cleaner energy. Antigua and Barbuda has already begun introducing electric vehicles into public transportation and essential public services while developing the technical expertise and charging infrastructure required to support wider adoption.
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, welcomed the implementation of the first phase of the partnership.
“We are proud to support Antigua and Barbuda as it prepares to host Commonwealth leaders from around the world. This initiative shows how clean technology can be incorporated into major international events while creating momentum for longer-term national transformation.
“Antigua and Barbuda is demonstrating real leadership by connecting electric mobility with renewable energy, resilience and greater energy independence. We look forward to continuing our work with the Government and helping turn this shared ambition into practical results.”
Following CHOGM, the Government and Octopus Energy will continue discussions on the potential longer-term use of the vehicles and other areas of cooperation envisaged under the partnership.
The initiative was developed with the support and coordination of Global Citizen following engagements involving Prime Minister Browne and Octopus Energy during New York Climate Week and the United Nations General Assembly.
The Government views the initiative as more than a transportation solution for CHOGM. It demonstrates how hosting a major international event can be used to advance national development priorities, attract partnerships and create a lasting legacy for the host country.
Antigua and Barbuda also believes that its experience can offer lessons for the wider Eastern Caribbean, where dependence on imported fossil fuels and exposure to fluctuations in global energy prices continue to affect economic resilience. The Government will therefore continue exploring opportunities for cooperation in electric mobility, renewable energy and related technologies across the OECS and wider Caribbean.
As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to welcome the Commonwealth in November, the deployment of the electric vehicle fleet sends a clear message: the country intends not only to advocate for a cleaner and more resilient future, but to demonstrate through practical action how that future can be achieved.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Octopus Energy Sending Electric Vehicles to Antigua and Barbuda for CHOGM.