In fuel-guzzling Saudi Arabia, electric cars pique interest
The Hindu
Saudi HR worker saves money with EV due to lower fuel costs and maintenance, despite challenges in charging infrastructure.
For Hamed al-Rafidain, a Saudi human resources worker, an electric vehicle offers welcome savings, especially since his other car is a fuel-guzzling four-wheel drive favoured by motorists in the desert kingdom.
The 39-year-old is part of a small but growing EV consumer base in Saudi Arabia, which hopes to become a hub for the technology as it seeks to diversify its economy away from oil.
Although the EV market in the world's largest oil exporter remains small compared with the United States and China, it tripled last year to nearly 800 cars, according to Saudi business news outlet Al-Iqtisadiyah.
"What drove me to buy an electric vehicle was financial considerations," said Rafidain, who spends up to 2,000 riyals ($530) a month on fuel for his off-road vehicle.
"Maintenance costs are also lower compared to a conventional vehicle, with no oil changes and no brake-pad replacements," he added, pointing to the engine-free storage space under the hood of his new car.
Chinese EV giant BYD is expected to dominate the Saudi market. Its global rival Tesla of the United States has no dealerships in the Gulf kingdom.
With eight million residents, Riyadh experiences traffic jams that contribute to high pollution levels.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sought a report from the State government on a complaint that the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) had taken up works amounting to ₹387 crore in violation of rules in Varuna and Srirangapatna Assembly constituencies, allegedly on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s oral instructions.
“We are organising a health research convention, which comprises a couple of workshops, community-based learning, and also cardiac care. We also included a one-day seminar on medical education, how medical education has evolved in India and the U.K., and what we can learn from each other” said Dr. Piruthivi Sukumar Dean of the International Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Leeds during his interaction with The Hindu.