The MEA (Middle East and Africa) EV market is expected to reach approximately USD7.57 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 38% between 2025 and 2030, reaching nearly USD52.2 billion by 2030.
The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region's electric vehicle market is expected to reach approximately USD1.62 billion in 2024, USD1.71 billion in 2025, and USD10.44 billion in 2034, representing an average annual growth rate of 22.3%.
IMARC estimates that the electric vehicle market in the entire Middle East (excluding Africa) will reach USD6.8 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 8.1% between 2025 and 2033, reaching USD14.5 billion in 2033.
The GCC region is the core of the market, with growth rates exceeding those of Africa as a whole. The Middle East EV market has entered a period of rapid expansion since 2025.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE is the most mature and has the highest penetration rate in the Middle East EV market. The government aims to achieve 10% electrification of its vehicle fleet by 2030 and to deploy a large-scale fast-charging network.
ADNOC Distribution will have built over 100 charging points by 2024 and operates over 800 gas stations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, while also expanding its electric charging network.
Saudi Arabia
Although EV sales remain low (approximately 2,000 units in 2024), the government is vigorously promoting this initiative, targeting a 30% EV penetration rate by 2030, with an estimated total investment of USD 39 billion.
Currently, Saudi Arabia has only approximately 101 charging stations, primarily concentrated in urban areas, and no charging facilities are available on the Trans-Desert Highway.
Aramco is collaborating with China's BYD to develop new energy vehicle technologies. Meanwhile, Aramco plans to begin commercial lithium extraction and refining in 2027 to support the local battery supply chain.
Local brand Ceer Motors is actively developing its fleet and expects to launch a full range of models in the Middle East market by 2025.
Egypt
The Egyptian automotive industry has been incorporated into the national strategy for 2024-2030, with a target annual production of 400,000-500,000 vehicles, 25% of which will be exported, generating nearly $4 billion in annual revenue. The country plans to launch local production of electric vehicles, including e-taxis and other public transportation, in 2025.
Infrastructure Construction
GCC countries have successively launched plans to expand their charging networks. For example, Saudi Arabia plans to have 5,000 charging stations by 2030, a 50-fold increase from 2024.
Private enterprises and energy giants (such as ADNOC and Saudi Aramco) are actively developing charging services or lithium battery chains to enhance the resilience and coverage of local infrastructure.
Localized Production and Brand Innovation
Ceer Motors and Lucid Motors are promoting local electric vehicle production, collaborating with PIF and international manufacturers to gradually reduce import dependence.
Egypt is also promoting electric vehicle assembly, export, and public transportation vehicle manufacturing through a combination of local and international partners.
Battery and Raw Material Integration
Saudi Aramco and Ma'aden signed a lithium resource development agreement, aiming to achieve commercial-scale production by 2027. This is expected to support 500,000 tons of new energy vehicle battery production capacity and 110 GW of renewable energy projects.
Policies and Market Incentives
Local governments are stimulating consumption through fiscal subsidies, target-setting, and the electrification of public vehicles (such as buses and taxis).
Policies such as Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative clearly define hybrid and pure electric vehicle promotion targets.
Changing Consumer Attitudes
Consumers are particularly concerned about battery life and charging convenience. BYD's hybrid vehicle sales in Saudi Arabia account for 70% of its total sales, compared to pure electric vehicles.
With a wider range of models and lower prices, consumer confidence is gradually increasing.
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Time Node |
Forecast Key Points |
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2025–2027 |
Multinational EV brands and local supply chains are working together to expand, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE taking the lead in breaking through5% of the overall penetration rate, and pilot production starting in Egypt. |
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2028–2030 |
The overall proportion of electric vehicles in the GCC is expected to approach or exceed10-15%, especially in the UAE and KSA, which are leading countries; charging station construction has reached scale, and the local lithium battery supply chain has begun to take shape; more local brands have entered the market. |
In terms of market size, according to Mordor Intelligence, the GCC EV market capitalization is projected to reach USD1.71 billion in 2025 and USD10.44 billion in 2034 (a compound annual growth rate of 22.3%).
The overall share of electric passenger vehicles in the MEA region continues to increase. Passenger vehicles are expected to dominate the market starting in 2025, with a growing proportion of commercial vehicles.
Although the region's overall CAGR differs from the global level (global EV sales are expected to grow by over 25% in 2025 and reach 39 million units in 2030), the Middle East is rapidly rising in line with the transformation.
Focus on infrastructure and component exports: There is room for collaboration in charging equipment, management systems, and intelligent connected software and hardware.
Prioritize the UAE and Saudi Arabia markets: they have strong policy support, rapidly increasing EV awareness, and active infrastructure expansion.
Focus on new energy battery and material collaboration opportunities: especially the upstream and downstream supply chain access provided by the Saudi lithium resource project.
Develop partnerships with local brands: White label and OEM opportunities are available, such as with Ceer Motors or Lucid Motors.
Export public transportation vehicles and low-speed EVs: Electric buses and e-taxis are in the early stages of development in Middle Eastern countries like Egypt.
Rapid market growth: The Middle East EV market is rapidly expanding from its initial stages, particularly in the GCC countries, with a projected CAGR of over 20% over the next five years. Structural changes are evident: from a dominant position in imported vehicles to a shift toward local production, local brands, and an independent supply chain.
Challenges and opportunities coexist: Range concerns and infrastructure shortcomings persist in cold regions, but policy support, capital investment, and the presence of international companies offer significant potential.
The above information is summarized from Middle Eastern electric vehicle news data and is for reference only.
