As Saudi Arabia accelerates its transition to cleaner transport, a series of new partnerships are reshaping the Kingdom’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. From high-traffic retail centres to real estate hubs and fleet services, collaborations between local developers and EV charging firms are beginning to deliver on Vision 2030’s sustainability ambitions.
Cenomi and EVIQ: Charging Ahead in Retail
Cenomi Centers, operator of over 5,000 retail outlets across 10 cities, has announced a partnership with Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) to roll out fast-charging hubs at its flagship lifestyle destinations, including Mall of Arabia in Jeddah, Mall of Dhahran, and Nakheel Mall in Riyadh .
The initiative aims to make EV ownership more practical for Saudi consumers by providing accessible charging infrastructure where people already spend time — shopping, dining, and socialising. EVIQ, which is backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is leading efforts to establish a nationwide charging network. Its CEO, Mohammad Bakr Gazzaz, described the collaboration as a step toward “an environmentally sustainable economy,” aligning with the country’s net-zero aspirations.
The Cenomi deal highlights how commercial developers are playing a central role in the green mobility shift by integrating charging facilities into existing urban spaces. The move also reinforces EVIQ’s wider goal to support non-oil GDP growth by encouraging domestic EV manufacturing and usage.
Riyadh Development Company Joins the Push
Just weeks after the Cenomi announcement, Riyadh Development Company (RDC) also revealed a partnership with EVIQ to install EV charging infrastructure across its assets in the capital. The agreement was signed during the Public Investment Fund and Private Sector Forum in Riyadh, underlining the strategic nature of public-private cooperation in the energy transition .
RDC CEO Jihad bin Abdulrahman Al-Qadi framed the partnership as part of the firm’s broader “Investing for Growth” strategy, which focuses on sustainable urban infrastructure. “This strategic partnership agreement aligns with our commitment to advancing sustainable infrastructure solutions for the city,” he said in comments to Leaders MENA Magazine.
EVIQ’s Gazzaz also noted that the company aims to deploy over 5,000 fast chargers across the Kingdom by 2030. The RDC collaboration strengthens EVIQ’s footprint in the capital while supporting Riyadh’s ambition to become a smart, sustainable city.
Kempower and Ziegler Focus on Fleets and Flexibility
While EVIQ works with major real estate developers, a separate partnership is taking shape to serve the growing demand from commercial fleets and logistics operators. Ziegler Energy Solutions (ZES) has become a certified partner of Finland-based Kempower, a specialist in direct current (DC) fast charging systems .
Through this agreement, Ziegler will supply and maintain Kempower charging units across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The focus is on reliability, scalability, and ease of integration — crucial features for companies transitioning delivery fleets or public service vehicles to electric power.
Troy Monson, General Manager of Ziegler Energy Solutions, emphasised the need for “adaptable EV charging infrastructure with the highest uptime.” Kempower’s Vice President of Sales, Marcus Suvanto, added that the collaboration is designed to help customers meet both current and future EV needs.
Ziegler’s offer extends beyond charging stations. The company also provides battery storage, microgrid systems, and solar installations, giving fleet operators a broader platform for decarbonisation. This holistic approach reflects a wider trend in the Gulf: EV infrastructure is increasingly linked to wider energy ecosystem shifts, not just transport.
A National Strategy, Multiple Fronts
The rapid expansion of Saudi Arabia’s EV charging infrastructure is being driven by both top-down national strategy and bottom-up commercial interest. Vision 2030’s climate targets have created policy momentum, while the emergence of EVs from global and regional manufacturers — such as Lucid, Ceer, and Hyundai — is generating consumer demand.
EVIQ, established by the PIF, is at the heart of this transformation. Its partnerships with Cenomi and RDC are examples of how the Kingdom is leveraging real estate and retail platforms to normalise EV use. Meanwhile, private players like Ziegler are addressing the distinct needs of commercial clients, logistics firms, and municipalities.
Together, these developments show that Saudi Arabia’s EV infrastructure push is not confined to new cities or isolated pilot projects. It is reaching into everyday environments — shopping malls, offices, fleet depots — and building a network that matches the pace of the country’s economic diversification and sustainability goals.
Infrastructure to Match the Momentum
As more electric models enter the Saudi market and regulations favour low-carbon alternatives, accessible charging infrastructure will be essential to driving adoption. The efforts by EVIQ, Kempower, and their partners mark a pivotal shift from planning to implementation.
From the lifestyle centres of Jeddah to the urban spine of Riyadh and commercial zones across the Kingdom, EV charging is no longer a future ambition — it’s arriving now, powered by coordinated investment and public-private alignment. And with Saudi Arabia targeting 30% of vehicles in Riyadh to be electric by 2030, the infrastructure being laid today will be critical to meeting that goal.
