Yes, electric cars represent a minimally invasive lifestyle change for an environmentally friendly future, they are taking up the bulk of most manufacturer's R&D budgets, and giving start-ups a chance at the big time. But has it really gotten to the point that an oil-rich country like Saudi Arabia, which is mainly known for exotic and luxury cars, wants to create cars that operate without the fuel it so amply supplies? Apparently this isn't even a few billionaires looking for something clever to do with their extra cash, but the Saudi government itself.
Saudi Arabia Plans On Electrical Vehicles
A Bloomberg report says Saudi Arabia had recruited advisors including the Boston Consulting Group to explore the possibility of setting up its own domestic electric car manufacturer. The project is linked to plans to build automotive infrastructure in the country and increase local manufacturing.
Saudi Arabia is said to be aiming to agree on a deal to expand local manufacturing. "Now we’re in the process of looking at electric appliances. In relation to cars, there is more than one project that we’re now looking at, and they will be executed this year or next year at the latest," said Head of the Royal Wealth Fund Yasir Al-Rumayyan on January 26.
Saudi Arabia Is Not The One Oil-Reach Country That Aims At Electric Cars
Electric car projects are indeed being considered by various countries, including oil-rich ones. Previously, one of Brunei Darussalam's oil exporters planned to launch an electric car program.
This policy has received approval from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The electric car program will last for the next two years. After two years of the program, the Brunei government will conduct research and measure the response from the public regarding the policy. In addition, they will also evaluate a number of problems (including the infrastructure ones) that electric vehicles will face in their country.
Secretary of the Ministry of Energy of Brunei Darussalam, Haji Azhar bin Haji Yahya said this program was also carried out to assess how many electric car sales in Brunei will happen. The target is that by 2035 as many as 60 percent of cars sold in Brunei will be electric. This is the same year chosen by Massachusetts to ban gasoline cars. The main point, of course, is to reduce air pollution. In such a case, about 0.23 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced. Come to think of it Saudi Arabia gets plenty of sunlight also. Hmm.
Sources: Bloomberg, TheStar