Industry Survey Shows Majority of UAE and Saudi Arabia Motorists Want Electric Vehicles

Abu Dhabi | Industry survey shows two-thirds of motorists in UAE and Saudi Arabia want to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). With more availability of charging points and better technology being added to the range of vehicles, more drivers will consider switching to an electric car.

General Motors, which commissioned the survey, says this is good news for the environment and ambitions of the UAE and Saudi Arabia to reduce carbon emissions. The survey on the electric vehicle market was conducted among 500 people in the UAE and 1,000 in Saudi Arabia. The survey question asked why if considering purchasing an electric vehicle. The survey revealed that 70 percent of respondents in the UAE were considering buying an electric car, while 63 percent in Saudi Arabia had the same ambition. Awareness of electric vehicles is above 90 percent in both countries.

Meanwhile, 73 percent of drivers in the UAE were attracted to electric vehicles because of affordability, compared to 69 percent in Saudi Arabia. Combating environmental issues is the main reason behind the desire to move away from conventional petrol vehicles. As well as rising fuel prices.

General Motors Africa and Middle East president and managing director Jack Uppal said that as the company advances to market and expands its range of EV options, it will respond to changing consumer awareness with the long-term benefits of ownership.

We will fulfill our commitment to promise an electric vehicle to every customer. He also said that this shift is leading to a vision of future mobility across electrification, autonomy and connectivity. A third of UAE respondents (38 per cent) said they knew of a location with at least one charging station. 80 percent said they have a power point near where they park their car at home or in a public place. A similar number (40 percent) knew of a nearby charging station in Saudi Arabia. However, one in five (17 per cent) said it was close to their home or workplace.

The study also looked at range anxiety, one of the reasons motorists have avoided buying electric cars in the past. Those in the UAE said that the ideal range for an electric vehicle on a single charge is an average of 325 km, and in Saudi Arabia it has increased to 360 km. The average range of an electric car sold in the US is about 300 km. As technology improves, it will increase further in the coming years. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are in the process of improving their charging infrastructure in the near future.

By the end of 2022, there were 620 charging points in Dubai. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority aims to have 1,000 public charging stations in the emirate by 2025. In Abu Dhabi, 70,000 charging points are needed by 2030 to meet growing EV demand with an investment of up to $200 million.

At the same time, Uppal also said that by 2030, all vehicles in Riyadh are expected to run on 30 percent electricity.