Kuwait Automotive Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

Kuwait is one of the richest countries in the world with a high GDP per capita ($38,000 in 2023) and remains a significant importer of new automobiles (as of December 2022, 2.6 million traditional vehicles were registered).  Kuwait’s EV market is still in the nascent stage, but strong growth is forecasted (from $51.2 million in 2023 to $1.1 billion by 2032).  The Kuwait Government has taken measures to support EVs by ensuring that every fuel station is equipped with at least one fast charging unit by the end of this year, and landlords are encouraged to allow installation of home wall boxes.  In March 2024, MEWRE announced Kuwait’s renewable energy strategy, which allows for the first time, Kuwaiti citizens to install rooftop solar panels to encourage customers to purchase EVs.

Kuwait achieved a significant milestone in electric vehicle (EV) readiness, securing the number three ranking in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and number 14 globally (UAE 7th, Qatar 9th, and Saudi Arabia 21st) according to the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index’s 2023 report.  Kuwait is transitioning towards sustainable transportation and has a national goal to reach net zero carbon emissions in oil and gas sector by 2050 (all other sectors by 2060).  In August 2021, the Kuwait Ports Authority approved a proposal to build the Middle East’s first EV city, which will provide all port and logistical services to major global players including electric car manufacturers.  In October 2022, the final regulation for electric vehicle chargers was approved by both the Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy (MEWRE).  The regulation includes definitions and technical specifications for electric chargers and will remain in force until December 2030.

Opportunities
U.S. companies with specialized expertise can play a pivotal role in Kuwait’s developing EV market:
•    EV high-speed charging stations 
•    Battery electric vehicles (BEV)
•    Autonomous electric vehicles 
•    Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV)
•    Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV)
•    Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV)
Learn More at Events in the Region
•    MENA EV Show www.menaevshow.com, Feb. 17-18, 2025, UAE
•    EV Auto Show www.evautoshowonline.com, Oct. 28-30, 2025, Saudi Arabia

For more information, please contact Alaa.Zayed@trade.gov