In 2020, 32-year-old Zahir al Dhawi decided to replace his fuel-engine car with an electric one to simplify his life. At a time when public charging stations in Oman were scarce and with no charging station at home, Al Dhawi had to resort to creative solutions to keep his vehicle operational. This included utilizing public charging hubs at mall parking lots, which often took hours, meticulously planning his routes, and installing makeshift chargers at relatives' homes outside of Muscat.
Despite these challenges, Al Dhawi persisted. "Despite owning other cars at the time, I convinced myself that EVs were the only way forward," he shared. However, he was not alone. Coincidentally, 21-year-old Jawad al Lawati also decided to purchase an electric vehicle after the engine of his old car broke down in the same year.
"My old 2002 model BMW's engine broke down, and replacing the engine was worth more than the car itself. Moreover, I used to go to the car mechanic every month to repair it, which cost a lot of time and money, not to mention the fuel cost as well. It was frustrating and a huge waste for me, so it was time to make a change to something that could be more sustainable," Al Lawati explained.
"So I thought about hybrid cars since they're a very new thing. But then I asked myself 'Why not fully electric?'" he continued. "At the time, I was aware of Teslas but did not have much information or awareness about them, and I thought their prices were very expensive to afford. But when I opened their website and got to know a little bit more about the car, I was very fascinated, especially since the price is not that expensive. So I decided to get one."
Shortly after, Mohammed and Jawad met online through an online group connecting Tesla car owners in Oman. As more electric vehicles emerged, the group soon expanded to include all different kinds of Electric Vehicles, with Jawad and Mohammed at the forefront as co-founders. The club began raising EV mobility awareness in Oman and advocating for EV regulations and services in the country, hosting regular events and activities to bring together EV owners and promote green mobility.
According to the co-founders, there are many reasons why a person would switch to electric cars. In Mohammed's case, the tech-savvy engineer decided to make the switch to EVs in line with his adoption of smart technology in his life. Jawad shared that he was seeking a more sustainable option after becoming frustrated by frequent repairs and fuel expenses.
In a survey conducted by the Observer, approximately half of respondents in Oman would consider purchasing an electric vehicle, citing perceived environmental benefits and reduction of CO2 emissions as the primary motivation driving their interest (78.8%), followed by lower operating and maintenance costs (59.4%) and improved technology (34.4%).
However, over a third of respondents expressed uncertainty regarding purchasing an EV (34.5%), while the remainder indicated that they would not consider it. Respondents primarily cited the lack of sufficient public charging stations and the high purchasing price of electric vehicles as the main reasons behind their decision (58.1%), followed by long charging times (35.5%) and a lack of home charging stations (29%).
Challenges to EV Adoption
According to Al Dhawi, one of the biggest challenges hindering EV adoption in Oman was the lack of infrastructure. "One of the main challenges faced by the EV club was the lack of infrastructure that promoted EV adoption," he explained. He noted that due to the lack of EV classification registration until recently, EVs in Oman are highly underreported. While the Ministry of Transport disclosed the number of EVs to be around 300 as of last June, Al Dhawi shared that the number is closer to 1000. This discrepancy, according to him, led to a delay in EV infrastructure in Oman.
When the club approached relevant authorities to request public charging stations, they were met with skepticism regarding market demand due to inaccurate data on electric vehicles in the country. The founders, however, provided data that demonstrated the increasing number of EVs in the country. "We provided the real numbers of cars with proof of car ownership. There was a massive growing rate of EVs; we witnessed a hundred cars in three months," Al Dhawi stated.
There are now around 90 active electric charging stations in Oman, which are currently free to use.
In regards to the price point, Al Dhawi argues that EVs can be more affordable to purchase than regular cars. "People are favoring EVs because the price of EVs—imported cars—is half the price of petrol cars," he shared. He noted that while local car dealerships offer cars at a premium, with the lowest-priced electric vehicle in Oman starting at RO 17,000, imported EVs are highly affordable. Due to the EV grey market in the region, cars that were once valued at RO 25,000 are now available for around RO 10,000. "Those are perfectly new and safe cars," Al Dhawi emphasized.
The only downside to buying an imported vehicle, according to Al Dhawi, is the lack of warranties. However, he argues that due to the lack of a combustion engine in EVs, they are generally more reliable and experience fewer issues. Moreover, he shared that third-party financing options are available to consumers when purchasing imported cars, eliminating the need for individuals to buy imported cars in full.
Another challenge to EV adoption is the lack of home stations. According to Al Dhawi, charging stations can be easily installed at homes with units costing from RO 250. However, regarding the initial cost of installing the charging station, the co-founder reported a 90% saving on fuel, sharing that he only witnessed an electricity spike of RO 9-10 per month. When it comes to flats and apartment complexes, residents can easily facilitate the installment of EV chargers in negotiations with their landlords, who he says, are usually open to it. Alternatively, individuals can opt for blue industrial sockets used for heavy industrial appliances. "It will take a longer time because it has a lower charging rate, but it is safe."
The future of EVs in Oman
Despite electric vehicles representing only approximately 0.0799 percent of total cars in the Sultanate, the demand for them is growing.
"There is significant demand for electric vehicles. Car importers are supplying large quantities of EVs, and they are selling like hotcakes. Individuals who purchase one EV often return for a second or even a third car,” shared Al Dhawi.
As a result, the Government has introduced several incentives, such as exemptions from customs tax, VAT, and registration fees. Recently, according to a Ministerial decision, all public fuel stations will be required to have electric charging points.
The switch to electric vehicles has been identified as an immediate step in decarbonizing the transport sector in Oman, which accounts for 18% of carbon emissions, according to the Green Mobility strategy by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology—representing Oman’s larger plan of achieving net-zero neutrality by 2050.
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