Oman's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Policies for 2024

As the world embraces large-scale electric mobility, several nations have rolled out their respective charters that elucidate yardsticks for the adoption of EVs. The Sultanate of Oman plans to eradicate gasoline vehicles by 2050, as laid down in a new strategy that highlights the transition to renewable energy.

Stakeholders Involved

This strategy has been jointly curated by the Ministry of Energy & Minerals along with government and private entities. It has been crafted on the foundation of Oman Vision 2040 for economic diversification. The country aims to achieve carbon neutrality by the mid-century.

Pillars of the Strategy

The strategy comprises several pillars, including:

• Energy efficiency
• Renewable energy
• Hydrogen economy
• Energy storage
• Transport

Transport is incorporated as a pivotal component, playing an instrumental role in shaping the future of Oman. The plan focuses on a gradual revolution to drastically reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of contemporary, environmentally friendly processes.

The Government is consistently investing in the eco-friendly transport sector to create new economic opportunities for citizens, thereby augmenting the country’s progress.

Role of Our Next Energy (ONE)

To accelerate the push towards fully battery-assisted locomotion, the Oman Investment Authority has invested in the US-based electric vehicle battery start-up Our Next Energy (ONE). This collaboration is expected to enhance the development of electric vehicles and infrastructure in Oman, focusing on energy and battery storage cooperation.

Existing Infrastructure

Enthusiasm for owning electric vehicles is surging in Oman, with the number of electric vehicles rising to 1,500 in 2024, up from 550 in 2023. The installation of over 120 charging points last year acted as a catalyst, boosting the policy framework and instilling confidence in the populace to switch to EVs. As efforts continue to erect more charging stations, the Ministry expects the total to surpass 200 by the end of 2024 and exceed 350 by 2027.

The Green Corridors Project

To promote green logistics, the Government has initiated a Green Corridors project aimed at both low and high commercial vehicles powered by green hydrogen energy. Additionally, the food delivery sector is witnessing growth, leading to the launch of an experimental project utilizing electric bicycles for food delivery.

Green Hydrogen Production

Concurrently, Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals has established guidelines for green hydrogen production, targeting an escalation to 1 million tons per year by 2030. This is projected to increase to 3.5 million tons by 2040 and 8 million tons by 2050. Oman is also positioning itself as a global center for the overseas sale of green hydrogen, aiming to preserve exhaustible resources and promote the use of environmentally friendly alternatives.

Given Oman’s commitment to sustainability and the increasing drive to utilize hydrogen for various processes, the International Energy Agency predicts that the GCC nation could become the sixth-largest exporter of hydrogen globally and the largest in the Middle East by 2030.

In recent years, several Middle Eastern countries have seen the influx of electric vehicle manufacturers such as Tesla, ZEEKR, BYD, NIO, Polestar, among others. Established gasoline automakers have also introduced electric vehicles, preparing for a future dominated by sustainable transport. The investments made by Oman in electric mobility and related sectors reflect its commitment to a carbon-zero transportation future. Accurate government policies will facilitate a smoother transition towards an eco-friendly environment.

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