WILLEMSTAD - The E-bus project by Autobusbedrijf Curaçao (ABC), aimed at introducing electric buses on the island, has been temporarily suspended. The initiative, a collaboration between Curaçao, the Netherlands, and partners such as TNO and Refineria di Kòrsou (RdK), was put on hold following a decision by the new Dutch government to cut funds allocated for the project.
The Netherlands was expected to contribute around 5 million guilders, while Curaçao had pledged an investment of 3.5 million guilders. The project was designed to operate off-grid, using solar energy, without reliance on the local power network. Although preparations, including the construction of entry and exit routes for the charging infrastructure, had already begun, the project's future remains uncertain.
Curaçao’s Minister of Traffic, Transport, and Spatial Planning (VVRP), Charles Cooper, emphasized that Curaçao has fulfilled all its commitments. He stated that the government is now exploring alternative funding opportunities from Dutch sources to keep the project moving forward.