Arthur D. Little’s Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX) 2023 highlights MENA’s progress on the road to electric mobility and signals the region’s wider commitment to a sustainable future.
With the planet edging towards breaking point, energy is both part of the problem and part of the solution, with the need to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner, greener energy growing by the day.
The transport sector, in particular, is responsible for around a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, making electrification of transportation an urgent priority for government and industry alike if the global drive for sustainability is to meet with any measure of meaningful success.
In recent years, there has been little cause for optimism as global powerhouses have consistently fallen short of their climate pledges, but with 90% of the world’s GDP now covered with net-zero commitments and pressure mounting on companies to up their sustainability game, change is beginning to happen and the engines of e-mobility are revving up.
But while the technology behind e-mobility is largely ready for markets around the world, the markets must also be ready for e-mobility, and it is here that stark differences can emerge. To assist executives in organizations across the board, Arthur D. Little (ADL) has launched the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX) 2023, the third edition of a far-reaching initiative to evaluate readiness for electric mobility and to help formulate strategies based on solid data.
GEMRIX 2023 expands its scope to include 35 markets across all continents. making it the most comprehensive electric vehicle market readiness indicator available in the industry today. This expansion highlights a notable surge in global EV adoption, driven by government initiatives and consumer willingness. Particularly in the MENA region, the transition to electric vehicles is not just a trend but a strategic move aligned with broader climate action plans. These efforts are aimed at both economic diversification and addressing environmental concerns, as the transport sector undergoes a significant shift toward sustainable energy to combat its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
While Norway maintains its position as the global leader in EV readiness, China emerges as a close contender. Following these benchmark markets, countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are making strides in their EV readiness, driven by both government initiatives and public-private partnerships. These efforts are aligned with global commitments to net-zero emissions, making e-mobility a strategic focus for governments and automotive executives alike.
Notably, the report reveals tangible advancements in EV readiness in the MENA region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar rank 7th and 9th, respectively, on the global index, with Norway leading the way and China, Germany, Singapore, and the UK rounding out the top five. The impressive rankings of the UAE and Qatar are indicative of a region-wide commitment to sustainable transportation and a pledge to reduce carbon emissions over the months and years to come.
Indeed, the transition to electric vehicles in MENA is not just a trend but a strategic move aligned with broader national strategies to combat climate change and diversify economies. In the UAE, the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030 aims to introduce approximately 42,000 electric cars onto the emirate’s roads by the start of the next decade and the country has also made significant strides in charging infrastructure, with around 700 charging stations currently operational. Furthermore, ADL’s research suggests that 82% of individuals in the UAE are willing to purchase an electric car as their next vehicle.
For its part, Qatar has already achieved its target of electrifying 25% of its public transit bus fleet and financial institutions in country are facilitating the adoption of EVs by offering green financing options. Meanwhile, as in the UAE, car owners in Qatar are demonstrating appetite for electric vehicles, with approximately 74% of individuals considering an EV for their next vehicle purchase.
Following these benchmark markets in the region, neighboring GCC countries are making strides in e-mobility too, with Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia all featuring in the index, ranking 14th, 18th, 19th, and 23rd, respectively. In the wider region, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq also rank among the 35 countries in the report, demonstrating the broad-based progress that is underway from North Africa to the Levant.
The findings of the GEMRIX 2023 report highlight the meaningful advancements being made in MENA toward a more sustainable future for transportation. Importantly, the region is not just adapting to the global shift toward electric mobility, it is actively contributing to it.
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