Saudi Arabia ramps up EV charging with new EVIQ-BYD partnership

Charging an electric vehicle (EV) on the go in Saudi Arabia is poised to become easier, thanks to a landmark partnership announced this week.

The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) — a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) — has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility, the local representative of Chinese EV powerhouse BYD.

The collaboration aims to accelerate EV adoption in Saudi Arabia by integrating EVIQ’s expertise in fast-charging infrastructure with BYD’s expanding customer base.

In 2024, BYD sold 4.27 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) across the globe, surpassing Tesla to become the world’s largest EV carmaker.

Regionally, BYD is also gaining traction, with over 1,000 of its vehicles sold in the UAE last year, according to Hasan Nergiz, managing director of Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company.

This new partnership in Saudi Arabia is expected to further BYD’s foothold in the Kingdom. Plans include deploying high-speed public charging stations at BYD Al-Futtaim locations nationwide, along with tailored charging packages for BYD owners.

The agreement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to ensure 30 per cent of vehicles on Riyadh’s roads are electric by the end of the decade.

“Our partnership with BYD Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility marks a significant milestone in transforming Saudi Arabia’s transportation landscape,” said Mohammad Gazzaz, CEO of EVIQ.

“By combining our expertise in fast-charging infrastructure with BYD’s electric mobility innovations, we aim to deliver an unparalleled EV charging experience, contributing to the Kingdom’s sustainability goals and Vision 2030 agenda.”

A recent PwC emobility outlook report highlights that Saudi Arabia has committed $39bn to building an EV ecosystem, including $18bn for EV manufacturing, $9bn for batteries, and $12bn for semiconductors. These investments are projected to attract $150m in foreign direct investment, add $8bn to GDP by 2034, and create over 30,000 jobs.

EVIQ is at the forefront of this transition, with plans to install more than 5,000 chargers across the Kingdom by 2030. Its Riyadh-based R&D facility, the first of its kind in the region, will play a key role in testing and refining technologies for the local market.

Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility, part of the Al-Futtaim Group, is optimistic about the partnership’s potential.

“Strategic collaborations like this are key to shaping a greener, more sustainable future for Saudi Arabia,” said Badr Khojandi, general manager of BYD KSA.

“Together, we aim to empower EV adoption with accessible, efficient, and high-quality charging solutions across the Kingdom.”