General Motors Intensifies Focus On Electric Future Of Mobility In The Middle East

The pace at which the automobile industry has been growing in the realms of electric in the recent years has been nothing short of fascinating. There are more than enough contenders who can lay claim to one or more achievements in this field. With such levels of competition, automakers have to continue pushing boundaries that were previously unexplored. One of the brands that has long been making noise in this genre is none other than General Motors.

The American mega marque has always been famous for being one of the finest and oldest automakers in the world. However, with the continuous rise of fuel prices and changing consumer behavior, General Motors has learned to adapt rather quickly. With the Middle East being one of the largest markets for automakers, adaptation and assimilation of mobility technologies and acceptance of buyers’ nature are vital aspects for continued market domination.

In one of its recent drive and technology events at Detroit, Michigan, General Motors spelled out its vehicles that are bound for the Middle East region. The first amongst many GM models that will reach the region includes the Chevrolet Blazer EV, an electric SUV that will hit the Middle East shore in 2024. However, there will be other vehicles that will be here even before that. One of these will be the Chevrolet Bolt, whose arrival is estimated in 2023.

With up to 13 brand-new models slated to arrive in the Middle East by the year 2025, the above two are just the tip of an EV iceberg. Joining these are going to be the highly-anticipated GMC Hummer EV, which is going to be pricey but will be loved by ‘eco-conscious’ SUV/pickup buyers, and the luxurious yet green Cadillac LYRIQ. In case you are wondering, these vehicles are supposed to arrive in the Middle East sometime in the next two to three years.

According to the American giant, the focus on the Middle East market is quite significant to their overall global growth picture. In this case, General Motors is looking forward to investing around $35-billion across its global network, with a big chunk of that coming to our region. The investment will not only encapsulate electric vehicles but also autonomous technology that will end up in these vehicles. At the end of the day, these two things will go hand-in-hand in almost all future automobiles.

The region’s governments have already set their sights on achieving net-zero emissions from transportation in the future. As luck would have it, General Motors has the same goals. The United Arab Emirates is going to be playing a big part of this momentous future transportation goals. In fact, the UAE has been promoting its populace to shift to electric vehicles (private and public) in the recent times. This can be witnessed with the ‘Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030’. Under this strategy, 30-percent sales of public sector vehicles and 10-percent sales of private vehicles will be mandated by 2030.

Of course, to make this goal a broader reality, the government will be installing several more EV charging stations than what’s already available right now. To make all of this a reality, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE & Ruler of Dubai has been playing an active role. According to His Highness, the aim is to reach at least 10 percent penetration of EVs by 2030, which equates to approximately 275,000 vehicles. Furthermore, by 2050, 44 percent of the region’s energy shall be obtained from renewable sources.

On top of all this, Dubai will focus on the requisite infrastructure and regulations required for autonomous, smart and connected technologies for electrified vehicles. Moreover, His Highness is aiming to make 25 percent of overall trips made within Dubai be achieved by futuristic driverless vehicles that will be smart and sustainable – all by 2030. Interestingly, in a recent survey, the UAE along with Saudi Arabia have been ranked as part of the top-50 nations to embrace the transition into the world of electric vehicles.

Coming back to General Motors, its all-new modular Ultium battery platform is promising respectable performance and range in comparison to similar EV technology. In its best format, a Ultium-based EV will be capable of over 600 kilometers of range and hitting 100 km/h in just 3 seconds! To make the deal sweeter, GM’s new battery technology will allow for up to 160 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes of fast charging. The company will also be partnering with Dubai RTA for the launch of an autonomous vehicle, which will be powered by GM’s Ultium battery technology.