شوري لوزارة الطاقة: ألزموا المحطات بقبول «الائتمانية»

A member of the Shura Council, Fadl Al-Buainain, urged the Ministry of Energy to focus on the selling price of electric vehicles, supported by the energy strategy, as a key incentive for their adoption in the Saudi market. He emphasized that the strategy for supporting the marketing and localization of electric vehicles should be based on a low pricing policy, opening the market to companies, and enhancing their competitiveness. In his remarks during the discussion of the Ministry of Energy's report at the thirty-fifth ordinary session of the first year of the ninth term, chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the Council, Dr. Mishaal Al-Sulami, Al-Buainain called for requiring fuel stations to accept payment for charging services via credit cards, and to include this in the requirements for obtaining the necessary licenses, as well as the requirements for the continuity of licenses for existing stations.

He considered encouraging energy sector companies and the private sector to establish charging stations for electric vehicles as a support for the market for electric vehicle products in a way that motivates citizens and residents to purchase them. He added that despite the importance of widely deploying electric charging stations, there is a crucial aspect to enhance the demand for electric vehicles and ensure the success of the localization strategy, which is pricing policy and the competitiveness of the targeted types of vehicles for localization. He confirmed that the appropriate price for electric vehicles is the primary incentive for marketing them and increasing their popularity in the Saudi market, especially since Chinese cars are now sold at low prices, distinguished by advanced technology and quality specifications, which enhances their competitiveness and the possibility of achieving the goal of growing electric vehicle sales in the Saudi market. He pointed out that electronic payment methods are among the most important requirements that must be provided at fuel stations, with the most essential being the provision of credit card payment services, to facilitate access for beneficiaries, tourists, and those coming from outside the Kingdom, whether renting cars or arriving in their own vehicles.

Al-Buainain questioned why some stations refuse to accept credit card payments, despite the fact that this causes problems for tourists, citizens, and residents alike, especially in light of the reduced fees for credit card payments imposed on service providers by the central bank. He stressed the necessity for stations to respond to the incentive decision and to allow credit card payments without complications.