KUWAIT: Catching
up with the rest of the world, Kuwait is gearing towards encouraging the use of
zero-emission vehicles and setting regulations for such machines. In line with
a global trend to better the environment, Kuwait has set itself to introduce
electrical vehicles to the market next year, as well as devising rules and
regulations to obtain such machines and also how to use them on the open road.

Mohammad Al-Naibari,
a spokesman for the Dodge's dealership in Kuwait, said that the idea of
introducing zero-emission vehicles was a bit of a hassle at the beginning;
however, the dealership pressed on forward trying to secure the rights to sell
electrical vehicles in Kuwait. The idea includes cars and motorcycles, which
look identical to their fuel-consuming counterparts, but are completely
environmental friendly, said Naibari, adding that the dealership was not only
responsible for selling the commodity, it also provided recharging points in
public and private locations.

There are several
types of such vehicles including hybrid semi-electric and fully-electrical
vehicles, he explained. The demand for such machines is on the rise, claimed
Naibari, adding that according to a survey prepared by the dealership in 2018,
60 percent of clients were willing to buy zero-emission vehicles, while 90
percent were willing to make a purchase if the government laid the
infrastructure and encouraged people to go electrical.

Despite some
individualistic efforts to import electrical cars, Kuwait is a bit far from
fully going zero-emission friendly due to several aspects including the lower
fuel prices compared with other countries and the lack of basic infrastructure
to host electrical vehicle such as power recharging stations and actual
regulations. Another challenge would be changing the mindset of local clientele
who got used to regular fuel consuming vehicles; however, this will not deter
private companies and local dealerships from promoting zero-emission vehicles.
While the private sector is endorsing zero-emission vehicles, the government is
carrying out similar steps to encourage the usage of electrical cars,
motorbikes and so on.

The Environment
Public Authority (EPA), the Ministry of Water and Electricity, and the Public
Authority for Industry (PAI) are all working on measures to promote
zero-emission vehicles in line with the State of Kuwait's keenness to join the
efforts to curb the effects of climate change. The Ministry of Electricity and
Water in specific will construct recharge stations within its headquarters to
serve the five percent of zero-emission vehicles it plans to purchase. The EPA
and the PAI will join the fight for the environment and will coordinate efforts
to encourage state bodies to choose electrical vehicles especially with the
fact that Kuwait had recorded high temperatures this summer, a sign that
climate change is on the rise. - KUNA