Bahrain revving up - electric cars unplugged!

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New specifications for importing electric cars were announced yesterday by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry.

The technical regulations for electric vehicles will enter into force from Thursday as part of the new “national requirements”.

Three main points will need to be considered by the importer (company or consumer) interested in buying electric cars: Purchase invoice, packing list and a valid Gulf conformity certificate (for each model in the invoice).

In addition, the ministry said, electric vehicle chargers and batteries should also conform to Gulf specifications.

Bahrain Smart City Society adviser Abdulmajeed Al Qassab said electric cars are the way forward in attaining net zero carbon emissions in the coming decade.

“Sales of electrical vehicles has more than doubled in the first half of 2021 worldwide compared with last year, even with the pandemic impact on sales,” Mr Al Qassab told the GDN yesterday.

“By the end of this decade, world car manufacturers will race to capture the market to produce new-generation electrical cars amidst the environmental demand for zero carbon emissions.

“We, in Bahrain, should proactively prepare to build the required infrastructure to meet this fast worldwide growing demand.”

The first charging station for electric cars was opened in April at the Atrium Mall in Saar, with plans to set up similar stations across the country.

Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani, in a reply to a question by Parliament Speaker Fouzia Zainal in March, said that the ministry had started receiving applications for registration and compliance of electric car models for 2020 and thereafter since January 1.

Leading car dealers in the country are expected to import electric cars from this week.

The project backed by the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) aims to promote and adopt green transport in Bahrain.

The GDN reported in May that SEA president Dr Abdulhussain Al Mirza said a conference, ‘Electric Vehicles in Bahrain’, will be held on the introduction of electric cars and the industry requirements.

No date has been announced for the forum that aims to attract regional and international speakers to discuss future opportunities and challenges.

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