https://arab.news/25kw9
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to advance its electric vehicle infrastructure with the introduction of next-generation mobile EV chargers by local manufacturer Volt Charge, revealed the company’s top executive.
Elie Metri, CEO and executive board member of Volt Charge, told Arab News at the EV Auto Show in Riyadh that the firm is finalizing the prototype of its innovative mobile charger, in collaboration with its sister company QSS AI & Robotics.
This comes as robust charging infrastructure is essential to Saudi Arabia’s plan to transition 30 percent of vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030, a crucial step in its broader strategy to cut city emissions by 50 percent and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
“What we’re doing is merging two emerging technologies — robotics and EV charging. We are currently finalizing the first prototype of a charger that comes to you. You won’t have to go to your charger anymore,” Metri said.
He described a scenario where drivers use a mobile app at a mall to summon a charger, which uses AI to identify their car, handle the connection, and manage payment. After charging, the unit returns to its main station.
Metri noted that this represents a significant advancement in electric vehicle technology.
The CEO added that the company is the first Saudi brand to manufacture entirely within the Kingdom, with a 7,000 sq. meters factory in Sudair City, a sizable facility for assembling or producing the chargers.
He highlighted that localizing technology aligns with Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals, explaining that the company’s commitment to green energy is demonstrated by its early investment in both robotics and EV chargers.
“We’re localizing the technology. This means we believe heavily that Saudi Arabia is moving into green energy,” Metri said, adding that they began investing in robotics in 2017, “when it was virtually unheard of in the MENA region.”
He also mentioned their ambitious plans for manufacturing, saying: “We’re building a factory that can make 40,000 chargers while there are very few cars in the Kingdom. But we believe that it’s going to come, and we hope to have a huge market share being a local company and local factory.”
The CEO acknowledged the challenges faced in producing the EV chargers, particularly in procuring the necessary components. He noted that Saudi Arabia does not yet have a manufacturing hub like China, which complicates the supply chain.
“Not all the technical components are available in the local market,” Metri explained. “If I want to manufacture a charger, it has 20 or 25 components, so I need to ship them from different parts of the world,” he said, adding that this creates challenges, but “we’re overcoming all of those.”
Volt Charge, headquartered in Riyadh, specializes in manufacturing robust EV chargers designed for extreme climates. The company’s efforts were showcased at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable mobility as part of Vision 2030.
The EV Auto Show serves as a key platform for discussing the future of mobility, featuring interactive seminars, panel discussions, and showcases of EV technologies and charging solutions.