Lucid Group and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing electric vehicle (EV) technology in Saudi Arabia, it has been announced.
The partnership will see the two collaborate on joint research using KACST services, facilities, and products for dedicated research into advanced battery technologies and materials and studies in aerodynamic, autonomous driving, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Further, the two parties will test research into electric vehicles and evaluate their performance to ensure their adaptation to the climatic conditions in the Kingdom.
Commenting on the partnership, Faisal Sultan, Vice President and Managing Director of Middle East, Lucid Group, said: “Lucid’s goal is to inspire the adoption of sustainable energy by creating advanced technologies. This Memorandum of Understanding marks a key step towards achieving this vision, acting as a catalyst to advance and elevate the entire EV industry and inspire the adoption of sustainable transportation in support of the Kingdom’s vision for a more sustainable and diversified economy.”
Senior Vice President of KACST for Research and Development Sector, Dr Talal bin Ahmed Al-Sudairi, added: “Using our state-of-the-art facilities, the research conducted under this project will advance electric vehicles systems and aid the development of technologies to support autonomous driving, in line with national aspirations for research, development and innovation in the energy and industry sector.”
The joint research and development headquarters will be located at the national laboratories in KACST and will be launched during the third quarter of this year.