Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced that it received the first fleet of the electric vehicles produced by Lucid Motors.

Lucid Motors will contribute to supporting RCU's objectives by providing 30 Lucid electric vehicles.

This comes within the framework of the agreement concluded by Saudi Arabia's government, represented by the Finance Ministry, with Lucid Motors, a leading manufacturer of electric cars,

The aim of the agreement is to strengthen sustainability and innovation, based on its commitment to its strategy to preserve the environment, enhance the green economy, and reduce carbon emissions.

Assistant Minister of Finance for Financial Affairs Yasser Al-Qahidan confirmed that the agreement between RCU and Lucid represents the first batch to be suppliedas per the agreement concluded between the Saudi government and Lucid to purchase electric vehicles.

It also represents an important step that comes in line with the goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 that seek to raise the level of the national economy, the community and quality of life by diversifying the economy and establishing new sectors that suit the future and create job opportunities for Saudis, Al-Qahidan said.

He stated that the agreement will strengthen the Kingdom's efforts to provide a climate that contributes to creating a stimulating environment for the electric car industry as a whole, in addition for the Kingdom to be a leading center in the industry.

Furthermore, the government's efforts reflect its commitment toward the circular carbon economy through its reliance on the use of sustainable transportation with the aim of reducing carbon emissions, in addition to the fact that it comes in line with the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative announced earlier by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The RCU works in active executive roles to achieve the “AlUla Vision,” by focusing on the importance of applying sustainability standards as a comprehensive work methodology, based on a number of priorities.

The main priorities include environmental sustainability, meeting the basic needs and building future economies through RCU's programs, initiatives, and projects, which contribute to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness and leadership globally, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The Chief of Shared Services at RCU, Abdulrahman Altheneyan, said the commision is working on achieving its vision according to the approach of innovation and sustainability goals from a perspective that integrates with national visions. He pointed out that the recently concluded partnership is the result of these efforts.

He indicated that Lucid cars complement the aspirations in accordance with the partnership with the Saudi Finance Ministry, which represents government sectors, to enhance the appearance of electric vehicles in AlUla. "Lucid cars will be an addition to the projects inside AlUla, as they represent an achievement on which the future will be built," Altheneyan stated.

The entry of electric vehicles within the transportation system in AlUla Governorate is considered as a model for other regions and institutions seeking to adopt sustainable transportation solutions, which comes within the framework of the objectives of RCU to maintain and improve the quality of life that include the sustainable transportation system.

In 2021, RCU launched an autonomous electric vehicle service in the Old Town and the Dadan site, which represents a prototype for the future of transportation.

Moreover, RCU announced in 2022 the designs of AlUla train "AlUla tram project", which will link the governorate with a number of stations and routes such as the landmarks and historical heritage sites.

The project will operate using trains with a low environmental impact within the natural cultural environment of AlUla.