Management consulting firm Arthur D. Little's latest report explains MENA’s progress on the road to electric mobility
With the planet edging towards breaking point, energy is both part of the problem and part of the solution, with the need to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner, greener energy growing by the day. The transport sector, in particular, is responsible for around a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, making electrification of transportation an urgent priority for government and industry alike if the global drive for sustainability is to meet with any measure of meaningful success.
In recent years, there has been little cause for optimism as global powerhouses have consistently fallen short of their climate pledges, but with 90% of the world’s GDP now covered with net-zero commitments and pressure mounting on companies to up their sustainability game, change is beginning to happen, and the engines of e-mobility are revving up.
But while the technology behind e-mobility is largely ready for markets around the world, the markets must also be ready for e-mobility, and it is here that stark differences can emerge. To assist executives in organisations across the board, Arthur D. Little (ADL) has launched the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX) 2023, the third edition of a far-reaching initiative to evaluate readiness for electric mobility and to help formulate strategies based on solid data.
Covering 35 countries across continents, GEMRIX 2023 is the most comprehensive electric vehicle market readiness indicator available in the industry today, and this year’s findings present significant hope, with a notable surge in global electric vehicle (EV) adoption, driven by government initiatives and consumer awareness.
Notably, the report reveals tangible advancements in EV readiness in the MENA region. The UAE and Qatar rank 7th and 9th, respectively, on the global index, with Norway leading the way and China, Germany, Singapore, and the UK rounding out the top five. The impressive rankings of the UAE and Qatar are indicative of a region-wide commitment to sustainable transportation and a pledge to reduce carbon emissions over the months and years to come.
Indeed, the transition to electric vehicles in MENA is not just a trend but a strategic move aligned with broader national strategies to combat climate change and diversify economies. In the UAE, the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030 aims to introduce approximately 42,000 electric cars onto the emirate’s roads by the start of the next decade and the country has also made significant strides in charging infrastructure, with around 700 charging stations currently operational. Furthermore, ADL’s research suggests that 82% of individuals in the UAE are willing to purchase an electric car as their next vehicle.
For its part, Qatar has already achieved its target of electrifying 25% of its public transit bus fleet and financial institutions in the country are facilitating the adoption of EVs by offering green financing options. Meanwhile, as in the UAE, car owners in Qatar are demonstrating an appetite for electric vehicles, with approximately 74% of individuals considering an EV for their next vehicle purchase.
Following these benchmark markets in the region, neighbouring GCC countries are making strides in e-mobility too, with Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia all featuring in the index, ranking 14th, 18th, 19th, and 23rd, respectively. In the wider region, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq also rank among the 35 countries in the report, demonstrating the broad-based progress that is underway from North Africa to the Levant.
The findings of the GEMRIX 2023 report highlight the meaningful advancements being made in MENA toward a more sustainable future for transportation. Importantly, the region is not just adapting to the global shift toward electric mobility, it is actively contributing to it.
By Andreas Schlosser, Partner and Global Automotive Group Leader at Arthur D. Little, Philipp Seidel, Principal at Arthur D. Little Germany, and Joseph Salem, Partner and Travel and Transportation practice lead at Arthur D. Little Middle East.
