Saudi Arabia becoming a major player in electric vehicle revolution in the Middle East
A new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s journey toward
sustainable mobility has begun with the launch of the Middle East’s first
electric vehicle innovation center, established through a partnership between King Abdulaziz City
for Science and Technology and Lucid Group.
The center, inaugurated in Saudi Arabia in the
presence of KACST Chairman Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Al-Dosari, marks the second
phase of a strategic collaboration designed to merge advanced scientific
research with real-world industrial applications.
Accelerating Sustainable Mobility
The innovation center focuses on enhancing the efficiency, performance, and functionality of electric vehicles. By integrating Lucid’s global engineering expertise with KACST’s research capabilities, the facility aims to speed up vehicle development and strengthen the Kingdom’s position in next-generation mobility technologies.
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Saudi
Arabia making successful forays in electric vehicle development
Lucid’s Acting CEO, Marc Winterhoff, described
the center as a reflection of the company’s continued commitment to advancing
EV technologies while supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global hub
for technical innovation. The collaboration highlights the vital role research
and innovation play in shaping the future of sustainable transport.
Supporting Vision 2030
The center represents a strategic step toward
achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
It contributes to building a diversified, knowledge-based economy driven by
innovation, advanced manufacturing, and high-value industries.
By linking research and development with
industrial strategy and investment planning, the project strengthens the
national innovation ecosystem and ensures that emerging technologies are
translated into commercially viable products.
Localizing Technology and Building National
Expertise
A key objective of the partnership is to
localize advanced EV technologies and empower Saudi talent in fields such as
battery systems, smart mobility solutions, and vehicle engineering. The
initiative is expected to raise the localization rate in the electric vehicle
sector to approximately 65 percent in the coming years.
The project is backed by investments estimated at around SAR 500 million in advanced research and development programs. These investments aim to establish new industrial value chains, enhance local content, and reinforce the Kingdom’s capabilities in high-quality manufacturing industries.
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Teal
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Expanding the Global Ecosystem
Initially launched as a testing and validation
facility, the center has now expanded to cover the full spectrum of electric
vehicle development. It also serves as an extension of Lucid’s global
ecosystem, facilitating the transfer of expertise and technical knowledge from
its US operations to Saudi Arabia.
According to Faisal Sultan, President of Lucid
Middle East, the center strengthens the company’s regional presence while
supporting the development of local talent and fostering an integrated
technological ecosystem aligned with national objectives.
Conclusion
The KACST–Lucid Electric Vehicle Innovation Center is more than a research facility. It is a strategic platform that connects scientific research, industrial development, and economic diversification. By advancing clean mobility technologies, localizing innovation, and nurturing national expertise, the initiative reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable development and positions the Kingdom as a regional leader in advanced automotive technologies.
Source: https://saudiauto.com.sa/
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