Frankly Speaking: Assessing Lucid and the Kingdom’s EV ambitions

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Updated 17 March 2025
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Frankly Speaking: Assessing Lucid and the Kingdom’s EV ambitions

Frankly Speaking: Assessing Lucid and the Kingdom’s EV ambitions
  • Faisal Sultan, VP and MD (Middle East) of Lucid Motors, is confident about the US-headquartered electric vehicle maker’s trajectory and its presence in Saudi Arabia
  • Considers Saudi electric transportation goals attainable thanks to steady public adoption of EV and strong government policy support

RIYADH: Faisal Sultan, vice president and managing director of Lucid Middle East, is confident about the company’s trajectory and its growing presence in Saudi Arabia — a nation eager to establish itself as a key player in the global electric vehicle (EV) market.

Lucid Motors has had a transformative year despite a leadership change following Peter Rawlinson’s departure as CEO after 12 years in the post. Appearing on the Arab News current affairs program “Frankly Speaking,” Sultan said the firm has been left on a strong footing.

“What Lucid is today is because of him,” Sultan told “Frankly Speaking” host Katie Jensen. “The company is in a growth stage and therefore Peter decided to hand it over to the team that he has established to take it forward.”

Lucid, a pioneering EV manufacturer headquartered in the US, has set ambitious goals for its expansion in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds a significant stake in the company, Lucid is spearheading the development of the Kingdom’s first EV manufacturing facility.

The firm’s assembly plant in Jeddah’s King Abdullah Economic City, which opened in September 2023, is already operational. Construction is underway for a full-scale factory, expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

“I’m very proud of the team, what we’ve been able to accomplish in Saudi Arabia — the first-ever international automotive manufacturing plant in the Kingdom,” said Sultan.

“We are definitely going to move and expand on that. We’re building a complete build unit factory now after the semi-knocked-down assembly factory, and that is currently under construction. It’s on time and it’s going to be completed, as previously stated, by the end of next year.

“It will have a capacity of 150,000 and we’ll start producing some cars in early 2027 from there for global consumption.”




Faisal Sultan, vice president and managing director (Middle East) of Lucid Group, spoke to ‘Frankly Speaking’ host Katie Jensen on a wide range of topics related to sustainable mobility. (AN Photo)

Lucid Motors has joined the “Made in Saudi” program, becoming the first global automotive company to do so, allowing it to use the 'Saudi Made' logo on its products, signifying quality and national pride, and reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a leader in innovative manufacturing.

“The ‘Made in Saudi’ badge is a very prestigious thing,” said Sultan. “And it’s a really emotional thing for our teammates out of Saudi Arabia because they feel very proud to be a part of history and to be the first automotive manufacturer that can say that we have a Saudi-made vehicle, which is now being exported to other countries.

“Even the public has perceived it as a medal.”

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy places great emphasis on sustainability and clean energy, with the aim of electrifying 30 percent of vehicles on its roads by the end of the decade.

Sultan believes this goal is attainable, given the steady increase in EV adoption and the government’s strong policy support.

“Our estimates are, basically, about 6 to 7 percent of vehicles that are being sold in the country are already electric vehicles,” he said.

“But I think that’s going to grow to 30 percent because of initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative that really puts in the drive, the motivation, the policies, all of them coming together.”

More can be done, however, to boost the uptake of EVs.

“One of the biggest challenges when you talk about EV adoption is the infrastructure,” said Sultan. “And if the infrastructure is not there, it’s not going to happen. So we’re working with many companies, many partnerships that Lucid has. We’re working with the government entities to make sure that the chargers are there.”

Lucid’s vehicles are often compared to other luxury EVs, particularly Elon Musk’s Tesla range. However, Sultan is keen to clarify that Lucid is operating in a different league.




Lucid, a pioneering EV manufacturer headquartered in the US, has set ambitious goals for its expansion in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)

“We don’t really consider Tesla as our main competitor,” he said. “Because if you look at a Lucid’s interior, and you look at the offerings that we have, how luxurious the car is, Tesla doesn’t produce a car like that.

“They do have a technological electric vehicle but that is really not the segment. Now people do take that misconception and try to compare it. But it’s an upgrade for a Model S person to come into a Lucid Air. They’re upgrading.”

Sultan says he is not concerned about Tesla entering the Saudi market, pointing to the healthy competition that already exists between other EV brands.

“There’s the Chinese brand BYD. More competition is better because it gives the consumer the difference. And I think we need to just continue to have our powertrain capabilities that are much higher. For example, our motors give you per kilogram more horsepower.”

Saudi Arabia is also launching its first ever domestic EV brand, Ceer, raising further questions about potential competition for Lucid within the Kingdom. However, Sultan sees Ceer as a complementary force rather than a rival.

“Saudi Arabia has been trying to do this for a while,” he said. “Lucid gave it the opportunity to ignite that spark. And now that we’ve done so, we have Ceer, our sister electric vehicle company that is now owned by Saudi Arabia itself, its first national brand. And we have Hyundai, which has also signed a deal with them.

“The three companies — the two companies EV, one company mixed — I think that will give them 500,000 production units by 2030, around that time frame, and a capacity at least. And I think that will get the supply chain coming in, it will get the whole ecosystem developed and then from there on they can build on it.”

There are, however, several barriers to the wider adoption of EVs in Saudi Arabia, including the hefty price tag attached to many vehicles currently on the market, the limited number of charging stations, and the lag in changing public attitudes.

“A lot of it is actually just the change itself, because a lot of people are really worried,” said Sultan. “They’re used to doing things a certain way. You have a car, you go to the gas station, you fill your gas anywhere. For them, it is an adopted way of living. And I think that’s one of the things, we have to inform the consumer how easy it is.”

Sultan stresses that home charging solutions will be key in easing the transition to EVs.

“I think the focus should be at-home charging and it should not be on public charging. If people are thinking that they’re going to be charging all the time on public charging, I think that’s really the wrong way to think about charging. It should be on your home base.”




Lucid, a pioneering EV manufacturer headquartered in the US, has set ambitious goals for its expansion in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia as Sultan explained to Jensen. (AN Photo)

Another lag on the expansion of the EV industry as a whole is the availability of the rare earth minerals needed to make batteries. Although Lucid already has a reliable supply chain for its batteries, Saudi Arabia’s mineral riches — particularly lithium — have not escaped its notice.

“Our suppliers really need those materials,” said Sultan. “We typically don’t buy them directly in raw form. But yes, we’re keeping an eye on that and we’re very lucky because Saudi Arabia is also, under Vision 2030, looking at the mining and minerals sector.”

The company is also open to the idea of sourcing its EV batteries from a Saudi partner in future, but Sultan expects such collaborations to involve established global players.

“We’re open to all these partnerships,” he said. “Currently we buy from LG Chem, Samsung, and Panasonic. Samsung and Panasonic are the two biggest suppliers for our batteries right now.”

Lucid is also working on battery recycling solutions, with discussions underway to establish a recycling facility in Saudi Arabia.

“Some studies have shown that 95 percent of these batteries now can be recycled,” he said. “The cost to recycle needs to come down, and it is (coming down). If you go back five, six years ago, it was a tremendous effort to get these things recycled. But we are getting a lot of development happening, a lot more companies jumping into this.”

Looking ahead to the future, Lucid has seen strong demand for its vehicles in the Gulf Cooperation Council area and intends to expand its presence across these key markets.

“The current focus is really within the GCC area,” said Sultan. “That’s where we want to focus on because the market for a luxury four-door sedan and a luxury full-size SUV is the strongest in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar.”

He added: “In Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is our biggest market. And we want to have a couple more locations in Riyadh. In the Eastern Province, in the Dammam, Al-Khobar area, we don’t have a presence. We’re definitely going to have a presence there.”

With Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to the EV sector, Lucid Motors appears well-positioned to play a central role in shaping the Kingdom’s automotive future. And with state investment and environmental policies taking priority, public uptake of EVs is expected to boom.

 


Saudi Arabia steps up dugong conservation

Saudi Arabia steps up dugong conservation
Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia steps up dugong conservation

Saudi Arabia steps up dugong conservation
  • Found in the country’s warm coastal waters, the species is considered an important marker of the health and stability of marine ecosystems

RIYADH: The dugong, or Dugong dugon, a marine mammal classified as vulnerable, remains a key indicator of marine biodiversity in Saudi Arabia. 

Found in the country’s warm coastal waters, the species is considered an important marker of the health and stability of marine ecosystems, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During Saudi Arabia’s Environment Week, the dugong featured prominently in events, drawing attention to ongoing conservation efforts and the responsibilities shared by researchers, environmental advocates, and policymakers.

The National Center for Wildlife is leading initiatives to protect the dugong from further population decline. These efforts by the center include satellite tracking and scientific research to monitor its distribution in Saudi Arabia’s territorial waters. 

Additionally, national plans are in place to manage and rehabilitate the species’ natural habitats, supporting long-term sustainability and the conditions necessary for dugong reproduction and survival. 

On the international front, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen global cooperation in marine conservation. 

In 2013, the Kingdom signed an agreement to protect dugongs and their habitats and has taken part in initiatives such as the Pacific Year of the Dugong, launched in 2011.

Throughout Environment Week, the center presented recent studies and carried out public outreach activities. 

Educational programs were provided to students, visitors, and marine life enthusiasts, emphasizing the dugong’s ecological role and the importance of preserving its habitat.

The center also showcased modern tracking technologies used to study the species and its movements, the SPA reported.


Saudi minister in China to explore education, research cooperation

Saudi minister in China to explore education, research cooperation
Updated 22 April 2025
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Saudi minister in China to explore education, research cooperation

Saudi minister in China to explore education, research cooperation
  • New agreements focus on scholarships, Chinese language programs, curriculum development

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan met leaders from various universities, institutes and research centers in China, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

He was accompanied by Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi and Ministry of Education Undersecretary for International Cooperation Nasser Al-Aqeeli.

The meeting, part of the minister’s visit to Beijing, aimed to explore new avenues for cooperation to enhance the educational and research systems in both countries.

The minister discussed promising investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s public and private education sectors through the “Invest Saudi” platform.

The meeting also highlighted the Saudi government’s scholarship program for Chinese students via the “Study in Saudi” platform, along with efforts to expand admission opportunities for Saudi scholarship recipients in Chinese graduate programs.

The Saudi and Chinese education ministries signed two memoranda of cooperation to exchange expertise in advanced curricula and provide scholarship programs for Saudi students in China.

One memorandum secures seats for Saudi students in top Chinese universities, enhances scholarship programs, and increases opportunities for Saudi students in high-demand fields. The China Scholarship Council represented the Chinese Ministry of Education in the signing.

The second memorandum, signed with the Chinese ministry’s Center for Language Education and Cooperation, introduces Chinese language education in Saudi public schools starting this academic year. Experts from both nations will collaborate to develop a comprehensive curriculum.

The Saudi minister also met Chinese counterpart Huai Jinpeng to discuss enhancing cooperation in general and higher education, exploring new opportunities, and exchanging expertise.

The meeting reviewed expanding partnerships between Saudi and Chinese universities and research centers in scientific research, graduate studies, scholarships, and medical education and training.

They explored investment opportunities for Chinese investors in the Saudi education sector, along with key opportunities in Chinese language education, e-learning, research, and innovation.


Indian PM Modi lands in Jeddah on two-day official visit

Indian PM Modi lands in Jeddah on two-day official visit
Updated 28 min 47 sec ago
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Indian PM Modi lands in Jeddah on two-day official visit

Indian PM Modi lands in Jeddah on two-day official visit
  • The prime minister was invited by Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. 
  • Modi’s plane was escorted by Saudi Royal fighter as it entered Saudi airspace

JEDDAH: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Jeddah on Tuesday as he embarks on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia. 

Modi’s plane was escorted by Saudi Royal fighter as it entered Saudi airspace, Indian newspapers reported. 

“India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia that have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years,” said Modi in a statement released by his office.

“Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership.”

This is Modi’s third trip to Saudi Arabia overall following visits in 2016 and 2019. 
The prime minister was invited by Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. 
During the two-day visit, Modi is scheduled to meet members of the Indian community, according to his office. The visit is expected to see several memorandums of understanding being signed.


$37m water projects boost Diriyah supply

$37m water projects boost Diriyah supply
Updated 22 April 2025
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$37m water projects boost Diriyah supply

$37m water projects boost Diriyah supply

RIYADH: The National Water Co. has completed two major water supply projects in Diriyah governorate, Riyadh, at a cost of more than SR140 million ($37 million).

It is part of efforts to enhance water and environmental infrastructure, and expand service coverage, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The projects, covering more than 26 km, will boost supply to Diriyah and nearby Riyadh districts, including Hittin, Al-Nakheel and Al-Khuzama, while also supporting the Diriyah Gate project.

They will add 146,000 cubic meters of water per day to the network, improving operational efficiency, expanding coverage and enhancing service quality.

It aligns with strategic plans aimed at supporting urban growth, ensuring water sustainability and improving infrastructure efficiency to the highest standards, the SPA reported.

The company highlighted its commitment to reliable services, sustainability and improving quality of life in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.


Riyadh to host falconry, hunting expo in October

Riyadh to host falconry, hunting expo in October
Updated 22 April 2025
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Riyadh to host falconry, hunting expo in October

Riyadh to host falconry, hunting expo in October
  • This prominent global event brings together falconry and hunting enthusiasts
  • The exhibition highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cultural heritage

RIYADH: The International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition will take place in Riyadh from Oct. 2–11, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This prominent global event brings together falconry and hunting enthusiasts from around the world at the Saudi Falcons Club in Malham, north of the capital.

The exhibition highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cultural heritage by showcasing the significance of falconry, promoting environmental awareness, and encouraging economic contributions.

It blends tradition and innovation, featuring the latest global practices, technologies, and specialized equipment, along with unique auctions.

Each year, the event offers exceptional visitor experiences through interactive activities and tourism events focused on hunting, off-roading, and camping — inviting exploration of the Kingdom’s unique environment, biodiversity, and wildlife.

The 2024 edition attracted more than 640,000 visitors and 1,210 exhibitors from 45 countries, the SPA reported.

This underscores its status as a major international event supporting national heritage, the events sector, and Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for falconry and sustainable hunting.