The Ministry of Transport and Communications today signed an MoU with Alfardan Automotive, the premium automotive division under Alfardan Group, for providing free electric vehicle (EV) charging units.

Attended by HE the Minister Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, the MoU was signed by Director of Technical Affairs Department, MOTC, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalid Al-Thani, and President & CEO of Alfardan Group Mr. Omar Hussain Alfardan.

As per the MoU, Alfardan Automotive is to provide electric vehicle charging units for free and perform required periodic maintenance for them. The charging units meet the specifications of electric chargers issued and approved in Qatar and will be installed at locations to be specified by MOTC.

“This MoU comes in the context of putting into effect the Electric Vehicle Strategy developed by MOTC and KAHRAMAA in collaboration with the bodies concerned as the country continues reinforcing the participation of the private sector in government projects and encouraging its partaking in mobility and transportation projects in such a way that helps enrich private sector companies’ investment ideology, thus bolstering the localization of expertise and the technology in use,” said MOTC’s Sheikh Mohamed Al-Thani.

“The signing of this agreement contributes to the establishment of an infrastructure of charging stations across the country, which supports Qatar’s National Vision 2030 in becoming more sustainable. The availability of this infrastructure will encourage an increase in the number of electric and hybrid vehicles, which aligns with the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ strategy to create a positive impact on the environment to benefit future generations to come,” said Mr. Alfardan.                        

The electric vehicle strategy backs the country’s agenda for a greener future and contributes to striking an economic-environmental balance in a way that ensures transportation sector’s infrastructure projects sustainability, supporting economic growth and making the most out of the natural resources by increasing the revenues of oil and gas sectors and developing the means of transportation though deploying clean and alternative energy in accordance with latest universal eco-friendly systems to reduce carbon emissions and, therefore, create a clean, healthy and safe environment for generations to come.

That strategy is a part of the overall MOTC strategy for providing an integrated, world-class, multimodal transportation system that offers safe, reliable and eco-friendly services in line with the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 for social, economic and environmental development.      

By 2022, 25% of the public transit bus fleet in Qatar will have become electric. Public buses, government school buses and Doha Metro feeder buses will gradually shift to electrification, thus hitting the rollout percentage that is required to reduce harmful carbon emissions from buses by 2030, in addition to honoring the concerted efforts that aim to maintain environmental sustainability.

The electrified buses are planned to be used during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, making it a second-to-none championship where electric mass transit buses are deployed; a move that clearly demonstrates Qatar’s commitment to deploying universal clean energy solutions on transportation and supporting the determination to host an exceptional, ecofriendly, carbon-neutral event.