Three Papua New Guinean companies announce landmark collaboration to deploy electric cars, trucks and buses with plans to expand in other strategic locations.

Turra Holdings, Odesh Motors, and Sahul Energy announced the launch of Papua New Guinea’s first electric vehicle (EV) pilot programme, bringing zero-emission light vehicles, trucks, and buses to the streets of Port Moresby. The programme marks a historic milestone for the country’s transport sector and positions PNG at the forefront of the Pacific’s clean mobility transition.
The pilot programme aims to deploy electric vehicles across three categories: (1) light passenger vehicles, (2) medium-duty commercial trucks, and (3) urban transit buses supported by a network of charging infrastructure at strategic locations across the National Capital District. The initiative aims to generate real-world performance data on EV operations in PNG’s tropical climate, road conditions, and energy environment, building the evidence base for broader national adoption.
Subject to the successful completion of the Port Moresby pilot, the consortium plans to expand operations to Lae, PNG’s industrial capital and gateway to the Highlands region, establishing a national EV corridor between the country’s two largest cities.

What the partners say

“This is about more than vehicles, it’s about proving that Papua New Guinea can lead, not follow, in the clean energy transition. Our country has the sustainable energy resources to power an electric transport future, and today we are taking the first step.”
— Isikeli Taureka (Turra Holdings)
“We see electric vehicles not as a distant aspiration but as a practical, commercial opportunity for PNG today. Diesel costs in this country are among the highest in the region and compounded by the current turmoil in the Middle East. Every electric kilometre driven is money saved, emissions avoided, and energy independence gained for our nation.”
— Isaac Jipsy (Odesh Motors)
“Our role is to ensure that the energy infrastructure is ready for the vehicles. That means smart charging systems, solar and battery integration, and grid-ready designs that work in PNG’s conditions. This pilot aims to demonstrate that locally designed, locally owned clean energy infrastructure is the foundation for PNG’s electric transport future.”
— Martin Tambiawi (Sahul Energy)

Why Papua New Guinea, Why Now

Papua New Guinea imports more than 1.5 billion litres of refined petroleum products annually at an estimated cost exceeding USD 1.5 billion. Transport fuel represents the single largest component of this import bill. With diesel prices among the highest in the Pacific region and rising global pressure to decarbonise, the economic and environmental case for electric mobility in PNG has never been stronger.

At the same time, PNG’s abundant sustainable energy resources such as solar, hydro, and geothermal, provide a pathway to power electric vehicles from clean domestic sources rather than imported fossil fuels. The pilot programme is designed to demonstrate this opportunity in practice, generating the operational data and commercial evidence that will unlock the country’s electric transport future.

About the Partners

Turra Holdings Ltd is a joint venture between Hides Gas Development Company Ltd (HGDC) and Laba Holdings Ltd (LABA), two of Papua New Guinea’s largest landowner companies. This foundation allows Turra to deliver large-scale infrastructure, energy, and resource projects while ensuring sustainable growth and opportunity for the communities we represent.

Odesh Motors is a Papua New Guinean company operating in the commercialisation of electric vehicles (EV). Odesh contributes commercial fleet management expertise, vehicle procurement channels, and operational experience in PNG’s unique road and logistics environment.

Sahul Energy is an energy infrastructure advisory and development firm specialising in sustainable energy, battery energy storage systems, and transport electrification across the Pacific region. Sahul Energy provides the know-how, charging infrastructure engineering, and energy integration expertise for the pilot programme.

Invitation to Collaborate

The consortium welcomes expressions of interest from government agencies, fleet operators, logistics companies, mining and resource companies, development finance institutions, and international partners who share the vision of clean, affordable, and locally powered transport for Papua New Guinea.