Latest news with #EVIQ
Zawya
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
EVIQ and Petromin unveil new EV charging station in Jeddah
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – EVIQ, a leading electric vehicle charging network provider, is proud to announce the opening of a new EV charging station in partnership with Petromin, one of the Kingdom's most trusted fuel, mobility and e-mobility services providers, marking a significant step forward in the growth of EV infrastructure across Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership highlights EVIQ's strategy to accelerate the deployment of EV charging points by utilizing Petromin's extensive network of strategically located petrol stations, especially along key highways. This approach will ensure greater accessibility, convenience, and confidence for EV drivers across the country. "Our partnership with Petromin enables us to scale efficiently and provide reliable charging access in high-traffic areas," said Mohammad Bakr Gazzaz, CEO at EVIQ. "As Saudi Arabia moves toward its Vision 2030 sustainability goals, collaborations like this will play a critical role in supporting the EV ecosystem and reducing carbon emissions." EVIQ remains at the forefront of developing Saudi Arabia's EV ecosystem, with a goal of deploying over 5,000 chargers in strategic sites around the Kingdom by 2030. Petromin's nationwide footprint offers the perfect foundation for the rollout of EVIQ's fast-charging solutions, helping bridge the gap between urban centers and remote areas, encouraging broader EV adoption and accelerating the Kingdom's transition to a sustainable transportation future. About EVIQ The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) is a joint venture company between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) & Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). The company supports EV adoption in the Saudi market by building best-in-class infrastructure and creating a nationwide network of fast-charging hubs for electric vehicles around the Kingdom. With a vision to deploy more than 5,000 chargers in strategic locations around the Kingdom, EVIQ is spearheading the enablement of the EV ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Through strong collaboration with local partners for installation & maintenance, EVIQ is aiming to build a strong foundation for the sector which will stimulate the growth of EV adoption among the Saudi community, leading to making the sector more attractive and rewarding for investors to take part in the journey. In addition, EVIQ has also established a state-of-the-art Research & Development (R&D) Facility in Riyadh, that is the first-of-its-kind in the region. The new facility will be used for testing a spectrum of chargers and software to ensure the deployment of best-in-class equipment, reinforcing EVIQ's commitment to quality & efficiency, and driving the evolution in the EV sector across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This facility is a corner-stone in the deployment of chargers & technologies that meet the highest standards of quality, safety, efficiency, and compatibility for the Saudi Market. EVIQ envisions a robust presence throughout Saudi Arabian cities and connecting roads by 2030. This strategic initiative aligns with relevant regulations and standards, aiming to lead the electric vehicle (EV) transition by providing best-in-class and widely accessible EV charging infrastructure. The widespread adoption of EVs holds multifaceted benefits, such as cost saving for car owners, reducing carbon emissions from transportations, and supporting a more sustainable & greener environment for Saudi Arabia. About Petromin Petromin Corporation is a leading Saudi company with over 50 years of expertise in the automotive and energy sectors. Operating across more than 40 countries, Petromin has established a strong presence in lubricants, fuel retail, automotive services, and electric mobility. The company is widely recognized for its innovation, commitment to quality, and alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, particularly in driving sustainability and clean energy transformation. Through its extensive network of fuel stations, service centers, mobility and e-mobility solutions, Petromin continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation in the Kingdom and beyond.
Arab News
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Arab News
Blacklane and EVIQ partner to expand EV charging network in Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is set to expand across Saudi Arabia following a strategic partnership between Blacklane and EVIQ, accelerating the Kingdom's shift toward clean and sustainable mobility. Under the agreement, EVIQ — a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and Saudi Electricity Co. — will collaborate with the international chauffeur-driven transport firm to support the expansion of the Kingdom's EV charging network across key cities and mobility hubs, according to a press release. The initiative aims to support the development of sustainable infrastructure in line with Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on clean technologies and environmental responsibility. It also supports the Kingdom's goal to transition 30 percent of vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 — a target it aims to reach ahead of schedule. Mohammed Bakr Gazzaz, CEO of EVIQ, said: 'By integrating national charging infrastructure with premium fleet operations, we aim to reinforce the foundation for a scalable, future-ready transport ecosystem aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.' The deal includes the development of dedicated charging stations for vehicle fleets, most notably an integrated charging center at Blacklane's new regional headquarters for the Gulf region in Riyadh. 'As we rapidly scale operations across the nation, we're thrilled to have EVIQ on-board to actively support our expanding electric fleet. Together we are setting new benchmarks for sustainable innovation and success,' said Jens Wohltorf, CEO and co-founder of Blacklane. Blacklane will incorporate EVIQ's public charging network into its operations in Saudi Arabia to support its growing electric vehicle fleet. Both companies also plan to explore opportunities for system integration aimed at improving network functionality and user accessibility. The partnership follows Blacklane's recent introduction of Lucid electric vehicles into its Saudi fleet, as part of efforts to expand its EV offerings. EVIQ's fast-charging network supports the company's goal of enhancing its electric mobility services in the Kingdom, the release added. As part of the partnership, the companies will co-develop training programs under Blacklane's Chauffeur Training Academy, focusing on EV charging best practices to support service quality, safety, and sustainability. Blacklane's expansion in Saudi Arabia is backed by TASARU Mobility Investments, a wholly owned investment arm of PIF.
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Blacklane and EVIQ join forces to advance Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, and EVIQ, Saudi Arabia's leading electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure provider, have signed a strategic agreement to supercharge the roll-out of electric vehicles across the Kingdom. Under the partnership, the two companies will expand Saudi Arabia's EV charging network throughout major cities and mobility hubs. Together, they will strategically define priority locations for new charging stations and establish dedicated fleet-charging hubs, including one at Blacklane's new Gulf regional headquarters in Riyadh. The strategic alliance reinforces the shared vision of Blacklane and EVIQ to fast-track a robust and sustainable EV ecosystem, supporting the Kingdom's long-term goals for environmental stewardship and smart mobility. Dr. Jens Wohltorf, CEO and co-founder of Blacklane, said: 'Blacklane's partnership with EVIQ marks a significant milestone in our bold agenda to redefine sustainable luxury mobility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As we rapidly scale operations across the nation, we're thrilled to have EVIQ on-board to actively support our expanding electric fleet. Together we are setting new benchmarks for sustainable innovation and success.' Mohammed Bakr Gazzaz, CEO of EVIQ, added: 'This partnership with Blacklane reflects a shared commitment to accelerating the growth of electric mobility in the Kingdom. By integrating national charging infrastructure with premium fleet operations, we aim to reinforce the foundation for a scalable, future-ready transport ecosystem aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030'. The partnership builds on Blacklane's recent addition of Lucid's advanced electric vehicles into its Saudi fleet, part of its broader plan to significantly increase the number of EVs on offer to guests choosing the global chauffeur service. As the first rapid-charging network across the Kingdom, EVIQ is a strong match for Blacklane's culture of innovation and mobility sector disruption. Blacklane will integrate EVIQ's extensive public charging network into its operations across the Kingdom. This will ensure convenient and reliable access to charging for Blacklane's growing electric fleet, supporting the company's commitment to sustainable, high-end mobility. The two companies will also explore joint system integration opportunities to enhance network efficiency and user experience. The company's track record in electrification investment is extensive with almost all journeys in Dubai taking place in an electric vehicle, and a very high percentage of electric-powered journeys in further international cities such as London. This new partnership will include co-developed training programmes as part of Blacklane's Chauffeur Training Academy. Blacklane's chauffeur partners will learn charging best practices, reinforcing both companies' shared commitment to service excellence, safety, and sustainability. Blacklane's ongoing expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is supported by TASARU Mobility Investments ('TASARU'), an investment entity wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund ("PIF"). About Blacklane Blacklane is the global chauffeur service delivering premium, sustainable and reliable transportation in over 50 countries. With services ranging from airport transfers and city-to-city rides to on-demand and hourly bookings, Blacklane ensures a seamless travel experience for business and leisure guests alike. Headquartered in Berlin, the fast-growing scale-up employs 400+ people worldwide and partners with thousands of chauffeurs to deliver first-class service. As a leader in sustainable mobility, Blacklane drives innovation in electrification, training and technology, trusted by top luxury travel brands and discerning clients across six continents. About EVIQ – Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company: The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) is a joint venture company between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) & Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). The company supports EV adoption in the Saudi market by building best-in-class infrastructure and creating a nationwide network of fast-charging hubs for electric vehicles around the Kingdom. With a vision to deploy more than 5,000 chargers in strategic locations around the Kingdom, EVIQ is spearheading the enablement of the EV ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Through strong collaboration with local partners for installation & maintenance, EVIQ is aiming to build a strong foundation for the sector which will stimulate the growth of EV adoption among the Saudi community, leading to making the sector more attractive and rewarding for investors to take part in the journey. In addition, EVIQ has also established a state-of-the-art Research & Development (R&D) Facility in Riyadh, that is the first-of-its-kind in the region. The new facility will be used for testing a spectrum of chargers and software, to ensure the deployment of best-in-class equipment and related software, reinforcing EVIQ's commitment to quality & efficiency, and driving the evolution in the EV sector across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This facility is a cornerstone in the deployment of chargers & technologies that meet the highest standards of quality, safety, efficiency, and compatibility for the Saudi Market. EVIQ envisions a robust presence throughout Saudi Arabian cities and connecting roads by 2030. This strategic initiative aligns with relevant regulations and standards, aiming to lead the electric vehicle (EV) transition by providing best-in-class and widely accessible EV charging infrastructure. The widespread adoption of EVs holds multifaceted benefits, such as cost saving for car owners, reducing carbon emissions from transportations, and supporting a more sustainable & greener environment for Saudi Arabia.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
One of the world's top oil producers is making a push into electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are a common sight on roads across the world — but not everywhere. In Saudi Arabia, electric vehicles (EVs) account for just over 1% of overall car sales, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PwC) 'eMobility Outlook 2024: KSA Edition,' published in September 2024. Globally, about 18% of all cars sold in 2023 were electric, according to the International Energy Agency. There are several roadblocks to the rollout of cleaner cars in the desert kingdom, but things are changing quickly. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) is at the forefront of that transformation. EVIQ was founded in late 2023 as a joint venture between the country's sovereign wealth fund — the Public Investment Fund (PIF) — and Saudi Electricity Company. By the end of 2023, there were around 285 public charging points in the country, according to the PwC report, mostly slow chargers. In January 2024, EVIQ opened its first fast charging station in the country's capital, Riyadh. By 2030, it plans to have 5,000 fast chargers installed across 1,000 locations. 'Very few people are willing to buy an electric vehicle without having the comfort of seeing infrastructure being available,' EVIQ CEO Mohammad Gazzaz, told CNN. 'We're paving the way.' Today, EVs are mostly purchased by people that 'can charge at home with their private wall boxes,' said Heiko Seitz, Global eMobility Leader, PwC Middle East, and an author of the eMobility report. A lack of charging stations isn't the only reason for the slow uptake of EVs in Saudi. In 2024 more than 60% of models available cost more than $65,000, according to PwC's report, while nearly 73% of gasoline-powered models cost less than that. Generous fuel subsidies mean a liter of gasoline, about a quarter of a gallon, currently costs Saudi drivers around 60 cents. EV batteries can struggle with the temperatures typical of a Saudi summer, and the additional energy needed for cooling them can significantly impact their charging speed and range. And the country is vast — just over a fifth of the size of the US — with the distance between its two largest cities more than 950 kilometers (almost 600 miles), longer than the average range of most EVs. But the country has ambitious plans for reducing its dependence on oil revenues and its carbon emissions. Oil accounted for 60% of government revenue in 2024, with crude oil and natural gas accounting for more than 20% of the country's GDP over the same period. It wants 30% of the cars in its capital Riyadh to be electric by 2030. But Saudi isn't just adopting EVs, it's 'building an entire industrial ecosystem' around them, said Seitz. The country is embracing 'eMobility as a strategic lever to decarbonize, diversify its economy, and localize manufacturing at scale.' That includes plans to become an EV manufacturing hub. PIF is the largest shareholder in the US-automaker Lucid, which in 2023 opened the first car manufacturing facility in the country. CEER, a joint venture between PIF and the Taiwanese company Foxconn, plans to launch its first Saudi-produced EV by 2026. And a joint venture between PIF and Hyundai has broken ground on a manufacturing plant in the country. Major EV producers are now selling in the country. China's BYD opened its first showroom there in May 2024, and in April, Tesla launched in Saudi Arabia. Seitz said the introduction of Chinese models is likely to help drive prices down. BYD's Saudi website lists its Atto 3 model with a starting price of approximately $27,000. More than 40% of Saudi consumers are considering purchasing an EV in the next three years, according to PwC. Today, there are EVIQ chargers in Riyadh and Jeddah. In April, the company rolled out its first highway EV charging station. 'It's still really foundational work,' said Gazzaz. He said that EVIQ is targeting 50 to 60 new charging sites this year, including in smaller cities like Mecca and Medina. By the end of 2026, Gazzaz anticipates that the country will have a 'minimum viable network.' 'We're not talking only tier-one, but even tier-two cities, and covering some of those main highways,' he said. 'Ultimately we're trying to cover about 70 to 80% of travel requirements across the Kingdom by 2026.' Gazzaz declined to share how much would need to be invested to reach the targets. Seitz said that the country's official target of 30% electric cars in Riyadh is likely to be met, but that 'an additional push' might be required to make EVs a mass product for the entire country. A survey published in May 2024 by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, and University College London, concluded that large-scale uptake of EVs in Riyadh would likely require the government to introduce financial incentives such as VAT exemption for new vehicles, subsidized charging, and free installation of home chargers, 'at least in early stages of deployment.' The government says it has introduced some financial incentives and subsidies for EV buyers. Better infrastructure will help push forward the country's EV revolution, experts say. 'EV prices are falling, model options are growing, and government signals are clear — yet range anxiety remains,' said Seitz. 'Public charging is the main gap, and it's now a top priority to fix.'
CNN
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- CNN
One of the world's top oil producers is making a push into electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are a common sight on roads across the world — but not everywhere. In Saudi Arabia, electric vehicles (EVs) account for just over 1% of overall car sales, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PwC) 'eMobility Outlook 2024: KSA Edition,' published in September 2024. Globally, about 18% of all cars sold in 2023 were electric, according to the International Energy Agency. There are several roadblocks to the rollout of cleaner cars in the desert kingdom, but things are changing quickly. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) is at the forefront of that transformation. EVIQ was founded in late 2023 as a joint venture between the country's sovereign wealth fund — the Public Investment Fund (PIF) — and Saudi Electricity Company. By the end of 2023, there were around 285 public charging points in the country, according to the PwC report, mostly slow chargers. In January 2024, EVIQ opened its first fast charging station in the country's capital, Riyadh. By 2030, it plans to have 5,000 fast chargers installed across 1,000 locations. 'Very few people are willing to buy an electric vehicle without having the comfort of seeing infrastructure being available,' EVIQ CEO Mohammad Gazzaz, told CNN. 'We're paving the way.' Today, EVs are mostly purchased by people that 'can charge at home with their private wall boxes,' said Heiko Seitz, Global eMobility Leader, PwC Middle East, and an author of the eMobility report. A lack of charging stations isn't the only reason for the slow uptake of EVs in Saudi. In 2024 more than 60% of models available cost more than $65,000, according to PwC's report, while nearly 73% of gasoline-powered models cost less than that. Generous fuel subsidies mean a liter of gasoline, about a quarter of a gallon, currently costs Saudi drivers around 60 cents. EV batteries can struggle with the temperatures typical of a Saudi summer, and the additional energy needed for cooling them can significantly impact their charging speed and range. And the country is vast — just over a fifth of the size of the US — with the distance between its two largest cities more than 950 kilometers (almost 600 miles), longer than the average range of most EVs. But the country has ambitious plans for reducing its dependence on oil revenues and its carbon emissions. Oil accounted for 60% of government revenue in 2024, with crude oil and natural gas accounting for more than 20% of the country's GDP over the same period. It wants 30% of the cars in its capital Riyadh to be electric by 2030. But Saudi isn't just adopting EVs, it's 'building an entire industrial ecosystem' around them, said Seitz. The country is embracing 'eMobility as a strategic lever to decarbonize, diversify its economy, and localize manufacturing at scale.' That includes plans to become an EV manufacturing hub. PIF is the largest shareholder in the US-automaker Lucid, which in 2023 opened the first car manufacturing facility in the country. CEER, a joint venture between PIF and the Taiwanese company Foxconn, plans to launch its first Saudi-produced EV by 2026. And a joint venture between PIF and Hyundai has broken ground on a manufacturing plant in the country. Major EV producers are now selling in the country. China's BYD opened its first showroom there in May 2024, and in April, Tesla launched in Saudi Arabia. Seitz said the introduction of Chinese models is likely to help drive prices down. BYD's Saudi website lists its Atto 3 model with a starting price of approximately $27,000. More than 40% of Saudi consumers are considering purchasing an EV in the next three years, according to PwC. Today, there are EVIQ chargers in Riyadh and Jeddah. In April, the company rolled out its first highway EV charging station. 'It's still really foundational work,' said Gazzaz. He said that EVIQ is targeting 50 to 60 new charging sites this year, including in smaller cities like Mecca and Medina. By the end of 2026, Gazzaz anticipates that the country will have a 'minimum viable network.' 'We're not talking only tier-one, but even tier-two cities, and covering some of those main highways,' he said. 'Ultimately we're trying to cover about 70 to 80% of travel requirements across the Kingdom by 2026.' Gazzaz declined to share how much would need to be invested to reach the targets. Seitz said that the country's official target of 30% electric cars in Riyadh is likely to be met, but that 'an additional push' might be required to make EVs a mass product for the entire country. A survey published in May 2024 by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, and University College London, concluded that large-scale uptake of EVs in Riyadh would likely require the government to introduce financial incentives such as VAT exemption for new vehicles, subsidized charging, and free installation of home chargers, 'at least in early stages of deployment.' The government says it has introduced some financial incentives and subsidies for EV buyers. Better infrastructure will help push forward the country's EV revolution, experts say. 'EV prices are falling, model options are growing, and government signals are clear — yet range anxiety remains,' said Seitz. 'Public charging is the main gap, and it's now a top priority to fix.'
