General Motors: More than two-thirds of the UAE population seek to own an electric vehicle in the future. Fuel consumption and environmental factors are the most important reasons.

The region is witnessing a growing awareness of the benefits and availability of electric vehicles. Accordingly, seven out of ten people who participated in a special survey conducted in the UAE (73%) and Saudi Arabia (69%) were interested in learning more about the potential for savings. In the costs of owning an electric vehicle.

A survey commissioned by General Motors, conducted by Morning Consult, identified the level of customer interest in electric vehicles, as well as awareness of long-term cost savings associated with EV ownership, EV options, and charging facilities.

The study found that public awareness about the concept of electric vehicles is very high, with survey respondents having sufficient awareness about fully electric vehicles; This is 95% in the UAE and 93% in Saudi Arabia. Awareness about electric vehicles is also consistently high among all age groups, and among both men and women, in the two surveyed countries. This increased awareness has also translated into strong consideration of purchase, with majorities in the two countries (63% in Saudi Arabia and 70% in the UAE) taking the idea of purchasing electric vehicles in the future seriously. Indeed, those who show a higher interest in electric vehicles believe that this will result in cost savings for them, in addition to being more likely to be aware of the existing infrastructure in their country.

global revenue

This positive outlook towards electric vehicles is consistent with international expectations about electric vehicle revenues, which are expected to grow from about $10 billion in 2023 to about $90 billion annually by 2030. The expected regional growth is also consistent with the carbon neutral strategies followed in the region. Which raised awareness levels more in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, and at the same time pushed more towards achieving a deeper understanding of electric vehicle options and their benefits.

Fuel saving

In the UAE, the study found that the most prominent drivers for thinking more about electric vehicles included the increasing cost of fuel and less concern related to the environment, with 64% of people who were most likely to think about electric vehicles more than in the previous year, choosing all of these drivers as a reason for more concern. Looking more closely at the prices of electric vehicles in the UAE, overall 73% of customers believe that electric vehicles have a significant savings value compared to petrol-powered vehicles.

Among the main forward-looking information obtained through the study is that related to concern about driving range, with respondents in the UAE considering that the ideal driving range for an electric vehicle is about 325 kilometers as a general average, while in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia it was found that this average is about 360. kilometers.

Promising future

“It is really encouraging to see the growing positive outlook on electric vehicles being highlighted,” said Jacques Opal, President and CEO of General Motors Africa and Middle East Operations. As we progress towards realizing our vision for the future of mobility, the increase in the number and variety of electric vehicles we expect to be available in the market will correspond to the significant shift in customer awareness and the growing interest resulting from the long-term benefits of ownership – starting with the realization of affordability and driving range. , leading to the positive tendencies towards the possibility of ownership of these new technologies. We will fulfill our commitment to provide an electric vehicle that fits every budget and suit every customer, and lead this direction to reach our vision of future mobility based on electric transformation, autonomous driving and connectivity.”

Opal explained: “We understand that each market adopts a different approach and a different time period with regard to infrastructure solutions to accommodate the large quantitative offering of electric vehicles. We are focused on adopting a customer-centric orientation by providing charging capabilities at customers’ homes. We affirm our complete agreement with regional leaders on a common vision regarding the electric future of the mobility sector.

Carbon neutral

Taking a closer look at the infrastructure, as both countries pursue their visions of carbon neutrality, more than a third (38%) of respondents were aware of at least one convenient location for charging stations. Four out of five (80%) of those familiar with convenient charging stations indicated that they had one at home, with the majority reporting that they were available in public parking areas and private shared spaces.