Given that it is the home to searing desert sands and bottomless oil fields, a landscape in which an electric car might seem as oddly located-and about blessed as snow on Riyadh's Saudi Arabian streets-the United Arab Emirates quickly devised one of these, too. Nonetheless, some among its urban sprawls and vast highways will be altering the status quo of EV application in ways that could alter how Saudi Arabia approach electric vehicles.
A fresh dawn for Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is starting to toy with the idea of moving away from oil for transport as a dependency. The Kingdom is governed by a government running to lead the nation decrease its addiction on oil, making automotive vital in this process. Saudi Arabia has laid out ambitious plans with its Vision 2030 strategy, of which EVs are expected to be a significant part.
Why the Sudden Interest?
The above are few of the fears that have made electric vehicles a mystery in this Kingdom
1. Saudi Vision 2030: Diversifying economy, reducing oil dependency It plans to take a quantum jump onto the world stage in leading change which is powered by renewable energy and sustainable practices.
2. Noticeable Environmental Problems: Unfortunately for Saudi Arabia, as an oil-rich nation they are painfully aware of the negative environmental consequences resulting from hydrocarbon consumption. It is also seen as a move to reduce carbon emmisions and create clean air with electric cars
3. Industrial evolution - EV technology transitions to the double-digit innovation opportunity. For Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's investment in electric vehicles can be an image of the greener path on one hand; and out of thin air it could then develop into a tech hub.
Challenges on the Road
Of course, is it one thing to fight a war in an oil-producing country; quite another when you need enough power available so that the whole nation can jack up its Prius' and wail 'Single Ladies' karaoke across tarmac.
1. Infrastructure Development: The biggest problem faced is the infrastructure issues of charging and others. Decentralized InfrastructureStill in Its Infant StageWhile there has been some improvement within urban centers, adoption at a larger scale is only just beginning.
2. Cultural Shift: Electric vehicles are something of a novelty in Saudi Arabia. Let me explain; for decades, wealthy has been synonymous with powerful internal combustion engine cars. It is NOT going to happen overnight.
3. Sales Execution: Unlike traditional cars, electric vehicles may be more expensive upfront. Making the Tesla an attractive proposition in terms of initial purchase (a borderline $75-$85,000 car is a tough sell as your first vehicle ever when amortizing out this price difference over time balances back to true fuel and maintenance cost savings)
The Road Ahead
While it's still early we are seeing some great signs for an electric vehicle future in Saudi. The Kingdom has already begun to attract global electric vehicle (EV) manufactures, encouraged by progress being made surrounding the construction of such an infrastructure. These cities also have early-stage incentives for EV adoption, like beneficial policies in Riyadh and Jeddah (subject to revision) or awareness of the environment on individual users.
The days of gasoline and diesel vehicles are numbered, shuttled offstage by electric cars - but oil does not go down without a fightSaudi Arabia offeres a comparative advantage for the future. The Kingdom is sitting in the perfect place to make a difference in the world of green transit. Given the absolutely eye watering amounts of cash Saudi Arabia has invested, and with them not needing to worry about emissions like pesky little Western carmakers currently will as our overall fuel reserves dwindle but most definitely still have to make pollution when we all go electric for transport in earnest... yes big things are coming from Lucid Air!
A Greener Future
In short... farewell desert sands and ever-increasing oil wealth, Saudi Arabia sucks dick to electric vehicles. As the nation takes this step into sorry-not-sorry hybrid purgatory, it will be exciting to see what sort of tradition meets innovation ultimately guides transportation down a new future trail in... Who knows? If this electric luxury sedan proves to be a hit, the only way in which you will likely ride around in stylish EV fashion on oil rich Saudi Arabian roads is if certain government authorities of overseers allow it.
