Daily EV news · Global · 7 May 2026
EV Charging
Lucid installs over 100 free AC chargers in Saudi Arabia as kingdom targets 5,000 fast chargers by 2030
Lucid Motors has deployed more than 100 AC chargers across Saudi Arabia, available free of charge, according to the company's Middle East President Faisal Sultan speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday. The rollout adds to a national network of over 2,800 charging points concentrated in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, with the PIF-backed Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) targeting 5,000 fast chargers across 1,000 locations by the end of the decade. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims for 30 per cent of all vehicles in Riyadh to be electric by 2030, with the Middle East now Lucid's second largest market after the United States.
Why it matters
The free-to-use model underscores the early stage subsidy environment in Saudi Arabia, where government backed infrastructure targets create a pipeline for CPOs and equipment suppliers ahead of a planned fivefold expansion in fast charging sites. Lucid's OEM-led deployment signals competition for site access and customer loyalty before the market matures beyond complimentary charging.
Electric Vehicles
BMW blog examines automaker response to plug-in hybrid owners who do not charge vehicles
A BMW blog post discusses the challenge facing manufacturers when plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) owners fail to charge their cars, relying instead on petrol engines. The piece explores potential industry responses to this behaviour, which undermines the emissions benefits PHEVs are designed to deliver. The article appears in the context of growing scrutiny over real-world PHEV usage patterns and their contribution to decarbonisation targets.
Why it matters
For charging infrastructure operators, low PHEV charging rates may signal weaker demand growth than fleet numbers suggest, affecting site planning and utilisation forecasts. Policymakers considering PHEV incentives or mandates will watch whether manufacturers adopt technical or commercial measures to encourage plug-in behaviour, which could reshape future vehicle specifications and charging requirements.