Saudi Arabia Completes Regulatory Preparations for Rollout of EV Charging Stations

Saudi Arabia expands the range of electric vehicles to support the strategy to reduce emissions and protect the environment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia expands the range of electric vehicles to support the strategy to reduce emissions and protect the environment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Completes Regulatory Preparations for Rollout of EV Charging Stations

Saudi Arabia expands the range of electric vehicles to support the strategy to reduce emissions and protect the environment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia expands the range of electric vehicles to support the strategy to reduce emissions and protect the environment (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, in cooperation with the concerned government agencies and in integration with the private sector, launched on Sunday the regulations for the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations so as to ensure quality, efficiency and protection of users and facilities across the Kingdom.

Experts confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the private sector is at a new stage whereby it could enter a qualitative sector and engage in an activity that generates profits for companies and institutions.

According to experts, the private sector would do so in return for achieving the Kingdom’s national goals aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions and improving air quality.

Last May, Lucid Group announced that it has signed a contract with several Saudi Arabian government agencies that locks in plans for a production facility.

The company aims to produce 155,000 cars annually with investments exceeding 12.3 billion riyals ($3.2 billion) after completing its factory in Industrial Valley in King Abdullah Economic City.

The infrastructure team for EV charging stations, led by the Ministry of Energy, announced that it has completed all the legislative, organizational and technical aspects to regulate the EV charging market in the Kingdom, by outlining the necessary regulations for the installation of charging stations and their equipment.

“The completion of the regulation of the EV market in Saudi Arabia opens a wide field for the private sector to enter into a new activity that generates profits for companies and institutions operating in the Kingdom,” Adel Al-Omair, Chairman of the Renewable Energy Committee in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Omair said that the move helps the Kingdom in maximizing its role in promoting public sustainability.

“The Kingdom is leading the region and the world towards renewable energy technologies and reducing emissions,” affirmed Al-Omair.

It is noteworthy that the new regulations contribute to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, as they will help the Kingdom to have a diversified and sustainable economy through enhancing productivity and raising private-sector involvement.

The new regulations would contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, as they will help the Kingdom to have a diversified and sustainable economy through enhancing productivity; raising private-sector involvement; and building new future-proof sectors, which will provide quality jobs for male and female citizens, in addition to enabling vehicle owners to charge cars easily with a guarantee of quality and efficiency.



Saudi-Indian Business Council: Modi’s Visit to Launch Strategic Private Sector Partnership

A photo of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 (SPA)
A photo of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 (SPA)
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Saudi-Indian Business Council: Modi’s Visit to Launch Strategic Private Sector Partnership

A photo of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 (SPA)
A photo of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 (SPA)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for an official visit during which he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss trade, investment, and energy cooperation.

In anticipation of the visit, the Saudi-Indian business community has expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral ties and advancing toward deeper economic integration through the launch of new joint projects that aim to establish a strategic partnership between the two countries’ private sectors.

Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, Chairman of the Saudi-Indian Business Council, told Asharq Al-Awsat that India is Saudi Arabia’s third-largest trading partner in terms of exports and fourth in terms of imports, underscoring the importance of their economic relationship.

Al-Qahtani noted that trade between the two countries has grown significantly in recent years, with total bilateral trade reaching approximately $157 billion in 2023—a 20% year-on-year increase.

India’s major exports to the Kingdom include chemical products, organic and inorganic materials, pearls, precious stones, metals, copper, and aluminum. In return, Saudi imports from India consist of plant-based and mineral products, pharmaceuticals, apparel, iron goods, machinery, electrical equipment, and vehicles.

Regarding new initiatives and agreements, Al-Qahtani highlighted two private sector agreements signed in February, signaling both nations’ serious commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and economic development.

He added that the council is currently working on several initiatives, including activating the bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement, implementing the double taxation avoidance treaty, and proposing frameworks for preferential treatment. These steps aim to enable unconventional projects to benefit from advantages available in both countries.

Al-Qahtani also noted the rising presence of Indian companies in the Saudi market, with more than 50 firms currently operating in the Kingdom. Several of these companies have recently opened regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia.

The sectors with the highest Indian activity include construction—with 20 companies in this field—along with health, training, and technology. “We are now set to begin cooperation in the manufacturing sector as well,” Al-Qahtani said.