According to the PwC report, which cites CNN, in Saudi Arabia until the end of 2023 there were about 285 public charging points, mainly free chargers. Now it is to change seriously. EVIQ (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company) founded at the end of 2023 as a joint venture between the country's state property fund, and Saudi Electricity Company, announces very ambitious plans for the development of electromobility.
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As CNN informs, In January 2024, Eviq opened its first fast charging station in Riyadh. By 2030, the company plans to install 5,000 fast chargers in 1000 locations.
Currently, electric vehicles are bought mainly by people who “can charge them at home using private wall boxes,” said Heiko Seitz, Global Emobility Leader, PWC Middle East and author of the Emobility report.
Electrics enter the desert sands. Saudi Arabia focuses on electromobility
There are several obstacles on the road to the introduction of cleaner cars in the desert kingdom, but the situation changes quickly. In addition to the lack of electric car charging stations, there are also generous fuel subsidies, which mean that a liter of gasoline currently costs Saudi drivers about 60 cents.
The adaptation of electric cars to the conditions that prevail in Saudi Arabia is also a problem. The batteries require additional energy for cooling, and the country is very extensive. The distance between its two largest cities is over 950 kilometers, which is more than the average range of most electric vehicles.
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As CNN informs, However, this country has ambitious plans to reduce its dependence on crude oil and carbon dioxide emissions. Crude oil was responsible for 60 percent. government income in 2024, and oil and natural gas accounted for over 20 percent. Country's GDP at the same time.
Saudi Arabia wants up to 30 percent by 2030 cars in the capital of the country, Riyadh, were electric vehicles. Saudis approach this issue as a whole and want to create an “industrial ecosystem”.
The more that – according to PWC – over 40 percent Saudi consumers are considering buying an electric vehicle over the next three years.
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This includes plans to become an electric vehicle production center. According to CNN, CEER, The Joint Venture company between PIF and the Taiwan company Foxconn plans to launch its first electric vehicle produced in Saudi Arabia until 2026. In turn, Joint Venture PIF and Hyundai began the construction of a production plant in this country.
Chinese producers also sell their vehicles to Saudi (BYD opened their first salon there in May 2024). It is worth recalling that in April 2025 Tesla began operating in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the Saudi government claims that it has introduced some financial incentives and subsidies for buyers of electric vehicles.
