In a landmark year for Saudi Arabia’s automotive industry, the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) has marked its first anniversary with a commitment to dramatically expand the country’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape.
Formed as a joint collaboration between the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund and the Saudi Electricity Company, EVIQ aims to streamline the adoption of electric vehicles by establishing a robust charging network, which has often posed a challenge in burgeoning EV markets globally.
Since its inception, EVIQ has sought to transform the Kingdom’s EV infrastructure with a long-term vision targeting the deployment of approximately 5,000 DC fast chargers by the year 2030. These chargers are meticulously planned to be installed in strategic locations covering urban centres, major highways, and key transit routes across Saudi Arabia. Further plans involve the connectivity of this network to adjacent countries, facilitating uninterrupted long-distance travel for EV users.
EVIQ’s approach extends beyond just hardware deployment. It encompasses the development of sophisticated supporting software designed to enhance user experience. Its technology allows drivers to easily locate charging stations, execute payments, and manage charging cycles efficiently. On the operational side, this software provides comprehensive oversight, enabling the company to sustain its network performance as it scales.
In an effort to bolster EV adoption, EVIQ has partnered with prominent players in the EV industry, including the Lucid Group and Ceer. Such collaborations are instrumental in smoothing the shift from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric alternatives, achieved through initiatives like providing complimentary charging hours and integrating charging infrastructure with vehicle navigation systems. This synergy is expected to optimise battery performance by maintaining ideal temperatures, thereby reducing charging times.
At the moment, EVIQ operates live charging stations across five locations in Riyadh, with plans to inaugurate further sites in the nation’s three major regions, including Jeddah and the Eastern Province’s Dammam, by the end of this year. As construction rapidly progresses, the company’s operational goal is to establish over 100 active locations annually, marking one of the swiftest deployments of DC fast-charging infrastructure in the region.
EVIQ has approached its mission with technological innovation at the forefront, choosing to collaborate with Alpitronic and ABB—leaders in the field of high-powered charging technologies. The Terra 360 model from ABB, known for its high-power performance even in extreme conditions, has been introduced to the public charging realm by EVIQ, setting a precedent in the region. These initiatives are validated through rigorous testing at the company’s Research and Development (R&D) facility.
As Saudi Arabia continues its ambitious journey towards electrification, EVIQ remains a cornerstone of this transition, catalysing both infrastructural and technological advancements within the Kingdom.
