Saudi Arabia’s Green Revolution: Electric Vehicles at the Forefront

Sunday, April 21, 2024

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are transforming leisure, public transportation, and logistics across the globe by reducing travel-related carbon emissions, enhancing air quality, and minimizing pollution on land and in water.

In Saudi Arabia, amidst a suite of environmental initiatives aimed at combating climate change and promoting sustainable economic growth, EVs have taken a prominent role. The shift from traditional internal combustion engines to electric models is gaining momentum globally as businesses and consumers choose more eco-friendly transport options, and Saudi Arabia is actively participating in this transition. The movement towards electric vehicles in the Kingdom is not only evident in personal vehicle ownership but has expanded to include e-scooters and electric buses.

The possibility of extending EV technology to aircraft and perhaps even space travel is also being discussed.

“For mass transition to occur on any front, there has to be a set of circumstances that cause it to happen,” he told Arab News.

Stephen Crolius, a former climate advisor at the Clinton Foundation and current president of Carbon-Neutral Consulting, advocates for EV ownership due to its environmental benefits. He acknowledges the challenges in educating some societies about the merits of EVs but emphasizes that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. He points out that governmental support can drive the maturation of industries like battery manufacturing, which has significantly advanced over the past 15 years, leading to a substantial reduction in battery costs.

“We are developing renewable generation for electricity. Are we developing fast enough to head off the climate crisis? I don’t know. But compared to new generations of technology getting rolled out, we are deploying a lot of renewable electricity generation, in historical terms, really fast.”

Leading this charge in Saudi Arabia are companies like CEER and Lucid, backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Lucid, an American electric car manufacturer, partnered with the PIF to establish a factory in the King Abdullah Economic City on the Red Sea. The PIF owns just over half of the group in the Kingdom and aims to produce nearly half a million EVs by 2030.

Recently, the use of electric buses in the Kingdom has increased, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. These buses, which produce zero emissions, significantly reduce urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly during the Hajj season when the mass transit network is heavily utilized. Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the regional governor, launched an electric bus service last Hajj season connecting the airport to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, capable of covering 250 km on a single charge.

At the time, Warren East, the company’s then-CEO, said that electric aircraft could make “jet zero” a reality and help decarbonize all forms of transport.

Electric buses are lauded for their quiet operation, high energy efficiency, and low maintenance costs, alongside their minimal carbon footprint—a vital step towards sustainability. Saudis are also embracing EVs for daily commuting, with e-scooters now prevalent in Riyadh and other cities, offering a green solution to local transport challenges by reducing emissions and noise.

The Kingdom is showing its commitment not only by regulating and promoting electric vehicles but also by fostering a culture of sustainable living. Advances in battery technology and the expansion of charging infrastructure are making EVs an increasingly practical option for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprints.

For instance, in public spaces in Diriyah, like Albujairi and At-Turaif, EV owners can charge their vehicles at standard wall outlets while visiting these UNESCO World Heritage sites.

In aviation, a sector heavily implicated in carbon emissions, the introduction of electric aircraft, like Rolls-Royce’s “Spirit of Innovation,” which set speed records as the world’s fastest all-electric vehicle, offers a viable path to global decarbonization. Electric planes are quieter, cheaper to operate, and emit far fewer greenhouse gases than traditional aircraft, though challenges like high infrastructure costs remain.

Despite these hurdles, the expanding role of electric vehicles—including buses, scooters, and planes—promises a more sustainable future with reduced carbon emissions. With ongoing innovation and investment, electric vehicles are poised to play a crucial role in fostering a greener and more sustainable world. To fully harness their potential, however, it will be essential for governments and businesses to overcome challenges such as sufficient charging facilities and overcoming the current limitations of battery range.

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