In fuel-guzzling Saudi Arabia, electric cars pique interest [Video]

For Hamed al-Rafidain, a Saudi human resources worker, an electric vehicle offers welcome savings, especially since his other car is a fuel-guzzling four-wheeler favoured by motorists in the desert kingdom.

The 39-year-old is part of a small but growing EV consumer base in Saudi Arabia, which hopes to become a hub for the technology as it seeks to diversify its economy away from oil.

Although the EV market in the world’s largest oil exporter remains small compared with the United States and China, it tripled last year to nearly 800 cars, according to Saudi business news outlet Al-Iqtisadiyah.

“What drove me to buy an electric vehicle was financial considerations,” said Rafidain, who spends up to 2,000 riyals ($530) a month on fuel for his off-road vehicle.

“Maintenance costs are also lower compared to a conventional vehicle, with no oil changes and no brake-pad replacements,” he added, pointing to the engine-free …