Saudi Arabia is set to make significant strides in its electric vehicle (EV) industry, according to experts at the EV Auto Show in Riyadh.
During the panel “The Landscape of Electric Charging in Saudi Arabia,” Gasable CEO Ali Ghnaim revealed that around 60% of the local population is open to owning an EV, indicating strong community support for the Kingdom’s transition.
Mohammed Al-Musawa, head of ASX E-Mobility, stressed the importance of collaboration among dealerships and companies. He highlighted the role of dealerships in providing charging infrastructure and ensuring customer confidence.
Al-Musawa also noted the Saudi government’s proactive approach, emphasizing the financial investments and efforts to set up charging infrastructure to support the EV market.
Rohit Ramesh, manager at CITA EV, pointed out that major projects like NEOM and The Red Sea are crucial to the EV sector, with these developments already incorporating EV charger infrastructures.
The Red Sea project, for instance, has installed over 150 EV charging terminals, creating the largest off-grid network in the Kingdom. NEOM is also advancing its zero-carbon goals with shared autonomous and electric shuttles, complemented by a high-speed underground transit system.
Panelists concluded on an optimistic note, predicting that by 2030, Saudi Arabia will have numerous charging stations, making EV travel seamless and increasing the presence of electric vehicles in the market.