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Saudi Arabia Prepares Infrastructure to Increase Use of Electric Vehicles

The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company supports economic diversification efforts in Saudi Arabia. (EVIQ)
The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company supports economic diversification efforts in Saudi Arabia. (EVIQ)
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Saudi Arabia Prepares Infrastructure to Increase Use of Electric Vehicles

The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company supports economic diversification efforts in Saudi Arabia. (EVIQ)
The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company supports economic diversification efforts in Saudi Arabia. (EVIQ)

Saudi Arabia is taking rapid steps to enhance the future of the electric car industry towards achieving its national strategy in Vision 2030, by reducing carbon emissions and generating 50 percent of its electrical energy from renewable sources.

The Kingdom recently launched the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ), the first Saudi brand of electric cars (Ceer), and opened Lucid, the first factory which specializes in the manufacturing of electric vehicles in the Saudi market.

In November 2022, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, announced the launch of Ceer. The company will design, manufacture, and sell a range of electric cars including Aedans and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV’s) for the Gulf region.

Ceer is expected to attract direct foreign investments worth SAR 562 million (about $150 million) to support the national economy, while its direct contribution to the gross domestic product will amount to SAR 30 billion ($8 billion). The company will also provide 30,000 jobs by 2034.

In September 2023, Lucid, the electric car manufacturing company, inaugurated its first and advanced international factory, “AMP-2”, in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh Governorate (western Saudi Arabia).

The factory will begin producing approximately 5,000 vehicles to gradually reach around 150,000. It is expected to play a fundamental role in accelerating the achievement of the strategic goal of diversifying the Kingdom’s economy.

In October, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Saudi Electricity Company announced the launch of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ).

CEO of EVIQ Mohammed Qazzaz told Asharq Al-Awsat that the company was working to build a wide national network of fast charging stations around the Kingdom, with the goal of reaching more than 5,000 chargers across more than 1,000 stations by 2030.

Qazzaz stated that the role of EVIQ was to empower the sector by starting the process of developing infrastructure and accelerating the pace of demand for electric cars.

He added that the company was established with the aim of supporting and accelerating the growth of the electric vehicle sector by working on developing the infrastructure and establishing a wide network of fast chargers throughout Saudi Arabia.

Automobile expert Majid Al-Sheikhi confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the government was working to prepare the infrastructure to increase the number of electric vehicles on Saudi roads in line with the Kingdom’s goals to reduce carbon emissions.

He added that EVIQ’s goals focused on increasing sales of electric vehicles and contributing to developing and enabling the necessary infrastructure.

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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)

Telecommunications companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 12.46 percent growth in their net profits, which reached SAR 4.07 billion ($1.09 billion) during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.62 billion ($965 million) during the same period last year.

They also recorded a 4.76 percent growth in revenues during the same quarter, after achieving sales worth more than SAR 26.18 billion ($7 billion), compared to SAR 24.99 billion ($6.66 billion) in the same quarter of 2023.

The growth in the revenues and net profitability is the result of several factors, including the increase in sales volume and revenues, especially in the business sector and fifth generation services, as well as the decrease in operating expenses and the focus on improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and moving towards investment in infrastructure.

The sector comprises four companies, three of which conclude their fiscal year in December: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain Saudi Arabia. The fiscal year of Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications Company (GO) ends on March 31.

According to its financial results announced on Tadawul, Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) achieved a 33 percent growth rate of profits, bringing its profits to SAR 661 million by the end of the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 497 million during the same period in 2023. The company also achieved a 4.59 percent growth in revenues to reach SAR 4.47 billion, compared to SAR 4.27 billion in the same quarter of last year.

The Saudi Telecom Company achieved the highest net profits among the sector’s companies, at about SAR 3.304 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.008 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The company registered a growth of 4.52 percent in revenues.

On the other hand, the revenues of the Saudi Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain Saudi Arabia) increased by about 6.69 percent, as it recorded SAR 2.55 billion during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 2.39 billion in the same period last year.

Commenting on the quarterly results of the sector’s companies, and the varying net profits, the head of asset management at Rassanah Capital, Thamer Al-Saeed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Telecom Company remains the sector leader in terms of customer base expansion.

He also noted the continued efforts of Mobily and Zain to offer many diverse products and other services.

Financial advisor at the Arab Trader Mohammed Al-Maymouni said the financial results of telecom sector companies have maintained a steady growth, up to 12 percent, adding that Mobily witnessed strong progress compared to the rest of the companies, despite the great competition which affected its revenues.

He added that Zain was moving at a good pace and its revenues have improved during the second quarter of 2024. However, its profits were affected by an increase in the financing cost by SAR 26.5 million riyals and a rise in interest, while net income declined significantly compared to the previous year, during which the company made exceptional returns.