ESG MENA talked to Gary West, director of future mobility, General Motors (GM) Middle East about the region’s electric vehicle (EV) market. In a region where petrol still reigns supreme and, like many other automotive markets worldwide, the high price of EVs remains a concern for many consumers, West is upbeat about the role General Motors can play in making zero-emissions motoring mainstream.
West says that GM’s goal is to “deliver the best and broadest range of EVs in the region – with an EV for every customer and every wallet, from trucks and affordable sedans to luxury vehicles and high-performance machines.” To meet this ambitious goal, West explains that GM needs to bring “everybody into our vision for the future of mobility, including government and corporate partners.” At a national government level, West says the company “remains optimistic for a bright future of mobility as regional governments bring to life various net-zero visions, including the UAE’s 2050 Net Zero ambition, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Net Zero 2060 vision as well as Egypt’s 2030 sustainability goals.”
GM has signed an MoU with the Egyptian government and Al Mansour Automotive, GM’s dealer partners in Egypt, to be the mobility partner for the COP 27 summit by providing 150 EVs to transport dignitaries and guests.
“Through such pivotal platforms, we are endorsing government policies in this domain and enabling our communities to take-up cleaner, greener vehicles,” says West.
At a local government level, West says GM needs to work closely with municipalities to build the right infrastructure for EVs. Factors such as a lack of charging points can deter buyers who are used to the convenience of filling up at a petrol station.
West advocates for “strategic partnerships with start-ups, private and public entities, to accelerate toward an all-electric Arabia.” He cites the work done by GM’s start-ups as examples of how the brand is committed to working with multiple stakeholders, such as Cruise, the GM-majority owned company that is bringing electric, shared and autonomous taxis to Dubai in 2023, in collaboration with the emirate’s Road & Transport Authority.
Other sustainable mobility projects that GM is involved in include working with Emirates Post Group to explore BrightDrop’s decarbonised last-mile deliveries in the region, and a partnership with Wegdaniya Transport Solutions to collaborate on EV leasing opportunities, which can be a practical way for people to try EVs before they commit to buying, as well as suiting expatriates who may not live in the region long-term.
Looking ahead, West talks about the future for green mobility in the MENA region: “There are multiple opportunities for eco-friendly vehicles in the region, and in recognition of this,
we are doubling down on efforts to re-envision mobility within the region and advance our drive to lead an all-electric, carbon-neutral future.”
He says GM is taking a “multi-brand, multi-segment EV strategy” in the MENA region, one of the most important international markets for the brands because of its “early adoption” of EV and autonomous vehicle technology, as well as examining last-mile delivery solutions and the ongoing development of robust infrastructure.
Photo Credit : GM Middle East