Oman Sees 300% Rise in Electric Vehicles as Green Mobility Efforts Expand

Salalah, The Gulf Observer: The Sultanate of Oman has experienced a significant rise in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in 2024, with a 300% increase compared to the previous year, according to Eng. Khamis bin Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology for Transport. The total number of EVs jumped from 550 in 2023 to 1,500 in 2024.

Speaking at the Second Green Mobility Forum in Salalah, Al Shamakhi emphasized that green mobility is a key part of Oman’s sustainable development agenda, with the government working toward its 2050 vision of reducing carbon emissions. “This significant increase in EV adoption reflects Oman’s commitment to achieving green mobility and lowering emissions,” he said.

In addition to the rise in EVs, the Ministry has been actively developing the country’s EV infrastructure. Al Shamakhi noted that over 120 charging stations were installed in 2023, with the number expected to surpass 200 by the end of this year, and over 350 charging points anticipated by 2027 across Oman’s governorates.

The government is also focusing on transitioning to environmentally friendly operations in other sectors. Efforts are underway to convert port equipment to run on electric power and make airports more environmentally friendly through sustainable fuel initiatives for aircraft. The Ministry is also working on reducing emissions in data centers and communication towers.

Oman has launched several pioneering initiatives in the field of green mobility, including the Dibba-Lima-Khasab road project, which uses electric-powered equipment to reduce carbon emissions. This initiative is the first of its kind in the Middle East. Additionally, the country has introduced the Green Corridors Project, promoting trucks powered by green hydrogen energy, as well as a pilot project for electric bicycles in food delivery services.

The Second Green Mobility Forum, organized by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, concluded its activities on Friday evening. Specialists from Oman and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries participated in workshops and dialogue sessions to discuss ways to enhance green mobility in the region. Topics included expanding the use of electric and hybrid vehicles, providing an integrated network of charging stations, and reviewing the latest EV technologies.

A key outcome of the forum was the proposal for a joint platform to map charging station locations across the region. This platform would facilitate access to information on charging points, energy availability, and pricing, encouraging the use of EVs and improving network efficiency.

Another highlight of the forum was the development of innovative spare parts technologies for electric and hybrid vehicles, which will reduce maintenance costs and improve vehicle efficiency. The forum also stressed the importance of cooperation between member states to implement joint green mobility projects, boosting investment efficiency and reducing costs.

The two-day event focused on raising awareness about pollution reduction and promoting sustainable mobility concepts, with the goal of creating effective strategies to meet sustainable development goals.