Saudi Arabia’s electric vehicle (EV) sector needs charging stations every 100 km on highways to support its growth, according to Mohamed Al-Mubarak, general manager of Charging Arabia.
At the EV Auto Show in Riyadh, Al-Mubarak stressed that a robust charging infrastructure is crucial to alleviate range anxiety and promote e-mobility. The Kingdom aims to convert 30% of Riyadh’s vehicles to electric by 2030, aligning with its broader goals to reduce emissions by 50% and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Al-Mubarak noted, “It’s important to have EV charging stations on highways to enable travel. With electric cars having ranges from 300 to 500 km, there should be a charging station at least every 100 km.”
Charging Arabia, active in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Saudi Arabia, specializes in operating EV charging stations, installing AC and DC chargers, and providing mobile charging services. The company is focusing on the Saudi market due to government support for the EV charging industry.
Although there are currently only 1,000 electric cars in Saudi Arabia, Al-Mubarak believes the sector is on the right path and expects significant growth by 2030. The company has partnered with Saudi-based Alfanar to boost the Kingdom’s EV infrastructure.
“We need chargers in public places, petrol stations, shopping malls, and public parking so people can charge their cars,” said Al-Mubarak. Charging Arabia currently operates two stations in Riyadh and plans to expand to over 100 facilities in the Eastern Province. However, managing electricity load as EV numbers increase remains a challenge.
Al-Mubarak suggested the government could introduce a scheme to help individuals purchase home AC chargers, allowing for overnight charging and a fully charged vehicle by morning.