The rising popularity of electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia has propelled the country into the top 50 of a worldwide index that evaluates nations based on vehicle electrification.
Saudi Arabia was listed in the top 50 for the first time in Q4 2021, according to a report by global consulting company AlixPartners. For the quarter, the Kingdom rose five places from Q4 2020 to 49th rank out of 73 nations examined internationally, up from 50th place in Q3 2021. For the second quarter in a row, the UAE stayed in 38th place on the AlixPartners Automotive Electrification Index.
Overall, the worldwide e-range – the index’s measure of vehicle electrification progress based on the inherent electric range of new electric cars sold – grew by 36% quarter-over-quarter and reached a new all-time high. China continues to be the market leader in new electric cars based on e-range, accounting for 58% of total worldwide e-range, with the United States in the second position with 10.9 per cent.
In Q4 2021, every ninth vehicle sold globally was an electric vehicle, resulting in a global e-share (percentage of electric vehicles sold) of 11.7 per cent, up from 9.1 per cent in Q3 2021. In terms of the main manufacturers, Tesla continues to dominate with a 22.7 per cent e-range share, while Chinese OEMs are gaining ground on their European counterparts, with BYD coming in second and Volkswagen coming in third.
“Last year in October, we saw Saudi Arabia announce its net-zero aim, along with specific steps targeting an increase in electric cars,” said Alessandro Missaglia, Managing Director of AlixPartners Middle East. The fact that the Kingdom continues to climb our Automotive Electrification Index rankings, entering the top 50 for the first time, reflects this growing commitment to a sustainable future, and I am confident that we will see even more progress in the coming years, aided by the government’s dedicated focus on the sector.”
“Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are taking steps to begin manufacturing electric vehicles in their respective countries and to capitalize on the tremendous market potential that the electric vehicle industry affords.”
