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Doha – Qatar

The Ministry of Transport and Communications today signed two MoUs with Nasser Bin Khaled & Sons Holding Co. and Q-Auto for providing free electric vehicle chargers. The signing event was attended by HE the Minister Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti.

President of the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) HE Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, Chairman of Nasser Bin Khaled & Sons Holding Co. HE Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Bin Khaled Al-Thani and Founding Chairperson of Q-Auto HE Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani were also in attendance.

The two MoUs were signed by Director of Technical Affairs Department, MOTC, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalid Al-Thani, Managing Director – Automotive at Nasser Bin Khaled & Sons Holding Co. Sheikh Faleh Bin Nawaf Al-Thani and Director of Operations at Q-Auto L.L.C. Ahmed Shariefi.

As per the MoUs, the two companies are committed to providing electric vehicle chargers for free and perform periodic maintenance for the charging units. The charging units comply with the specifications of electric chargers that have been issued by Qatar and will be installed at locations to be specified by MOTC.

“The two MoUs come within the framework of putting into effect the Electric Vehicle Strategy MOTC developed in collaboration with the bodies concerned and as the country continues reinforcing the participation of the private sector in government developmental 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.

HE Sheikh Faleh said that NBK is glad to support Qatar’s strategy for sustainable development through promoting electric vehicles and providing their chargers and this cooperation with MOTC falls within their national responsibilities for contributing to preserving the natural resources, protecting the environment and supporting QNV2030, something which will positively impact the future of the nation and generations.

Mr. Shariefi said such a strategic partnership serves Q-Auto’s future vision on electric vehicles industry and coincides with their rollout of the first electric four-wheel vehicle in Qatar and the country’s efforts in this area.

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.