Although the location is not finalised, charging stations are going to be around entertainment facilities or hotels so people have something to do while their vehicles are charging
SYED HAITHAM HASAN
Oman’s first ever electric vehicle (EV) charging station will be built by January according to the plans of Global EVRT.
The company is preparing for its second Middle East EV road trip, which will run on Omani roads.
While travelling a distance of 500km from Abu Dhabi to Muscat and back again to the Emirati capital between January 18 and 26, the Global EVRT team of some 10 EVs, backed by its partners, will launch these charging stations and engage with the local community to spread awareness on electric vehicles, a step that will play a major role in EV adoption in the Sultanate.
“One can find out everything that one needs to know about EVs during our events. We will be promoting EVs, educating the public, and the participants will have a chance to get behind the wheel during the event. We plan to launch Oman’s first ever charging station during our road trip,” Sophie Sandham, Head of Marketing and Events at Global EVRT, said.
During the first Middle East road trip earlier this year, Global EVRT launched the first EV charging station in the UAE. Charging stations along the route from the UAE to Oman is likely to increase EV road trips between the two countries. During the nine-day road trip, which will be a round trip from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, the Global EVRT team will spread awareness about EVs in the country and create a networking platform to discuss business opportunities in the EVs sector.
“The thing about EVs is that until you do not experience it yourself, you will not know how it feels. Our event will be an engaging event, where residents can look at EVs, test drive it or get on the back seats while we drive them around to give them a feel of what it is to be inside an EV,” Sandham explained.
With fewer moving parts, less weight and direct power to engine, EVs are known to have more interior space and faster acceleration. However, as Oman does not have the infrastructure to charge them, EVs are not a regular sight on Omani roads.
“Once we launch these stations with our partners, we expect more people to use their EVs to move between Oman and the UAE,” Sandham remarked.
Unlike gasoline-powered cars, EVs take a long time to charge, so, although the locations have not been finalised, the charging stations will be set up around entertainment facilities or hotels, so people can do something while they wait for the vehicles to charge, Sandham revealed.
“It is like your mobile phone; you charge it when you are not moving around, when at home or in a car,” Sandham added.
The first Middle East road trip in the UAE had brands such as Tesla and Renault participating in it, and more brands are expected to participate this year. People can also participate in the road trip by joining the Global EVRT team. EV owners can also be a part of the road trip.