General Motors commissioned a survey by Morning Consult to explore consumer interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and awareness of long-term cost savings related to EV ownership, available vehicle options, and charging facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The survey found that a majority of respondents in both countries (63% in Saudi Arabia and 70% in the UAE) are strongly considering purchasing an EV in the future. The heightened awareness of EVs is due to the increased availability of options and benefits that come with EV ownership, including cost savings and alleviation of environmental concerns.
Read more: Saudi, UAE to produce 205,000 EVs combined yearly towards 100% adoption
Those reporting higher EV consideration are more likely to think this will bring them cost savings, in addition to being more likely to be aware of EV infrastructure in their nation.
This favorable outlook towards electric vehicles aligns with global EV revenue projections, anticipated to grow from around $10 billion in 2023 to approximately $90 billion annually by 2030.
The region’s carbon neutral strategies have led to increased awareness of EV benefits in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, driving deeper understanding and consideration of EV offerings. In the UAE, the main drivers of increased EV consideration are high gasoline costs and environmental concerns, with 64% of those more likely to consider an EV citing these as reasons for increased interest. Additionally, 73% of consumers in the UAE see EVs as having worthwhile cost savings compared to gasoline-powered vehicles.
Within Saudi Arabia on the other hand, 65% of respondents are more likely to consider an EV in comparison to a year ago. 61% of those who are more likely to consider an EV in the Kingdom cite the cost of gasoline as a factor, while 47% find that there have been more affordable EV options available in the market over the past year.
The survey revealed that the ideal driving range of an EV is around 325 km in the UAE and 360 km in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the importance of longer driving ranges for consumers in the region. In terms of infrastructure, 38% of respondents in the UAE knew the location of at least one convenient charging station, while in Saudi Arabia, only 40% of respondents were aware of a charging station, with only 17% finding it to be conveniently located.
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