General Motors Doubles Plans for an Electric Future in the Middle East

General Motors Africa and Middle East (GM AMEO) is forging towards its vision for an electric future in the Middle East, confirming the fourth of 13 electric vehicles set for the region by 2025.

The company is also showcasing an array of cutting-edge technology that will redefine the future of mobility.

The Chevrolet Blazer EV SUV, launching in 2024, will join the Cadillac LYRIQ, GMC HUMMER EV and Chevrolet Bolt EUV – all slated to arrive in the region by 2023. The addition cements GM’s aim to lead the EV market with the broadest line-up, offering an EV for every need and every wallet.

It also meets the intensifying interest for electric vehicles across the GCC, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ranking in the top 50 countries embracing EV transition, according to a global vehicle electrification index collated annually by AlixPartners, the company said.

Luay Al Shurafa, President and Managing Director of General Motors Africa and the Middle East said, “The auto industry in the Middle East is transforming at pace, moving further and faster toward an all-electric future, driven by technological advances and regional sustainability goals.

"At GM, we are focused on the customers of today and tomorrow, delivering on our Ambidextrous Business Strategy to provide the cars, trucks and SUVs that our customers love, while seeding for leadership in Future Mobility across autonomous driving and connectivity."

GM’s EV revolution roll out, draws from the global investment of USD$35B into EV and AV technology across the Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac brands, reaffirmed at a recent two-day drive and technology immersion held at General Motors’ Michigan headquarters and R&D centers.

The event highlighted GM's commitment to deploying its zero emissions, zero crashes, zero congestion strategy to help build a sustainable future for the planet, made possible by groundbreaking technology, that is set to revolutionize mobility in the Middle East.

Underpinning the electric revolution is GM’s industry-leading, modular and flexible Ultium battery platform. Ultium provides performance and driving range exceeding many petrol-powered vehicles, relegating range anxiety to a thing of the past.

Depending on the model, GM’s Ultium-based EVs are capable of 0 to 100km/h acceleration, in as low as 3.0 seconds, whilst boasting a driving range of more than 600 kilometers on a single charge. And with fast charging, Ultium-equipped EVs can provide up to 160km of range with just a 10-minute charge.

Ultium has already reduced battery costs by 40% and as EV adoption rates and production increases rapidly through the decade, costs will continue to come down.

“As a car maker, tech company and customer experience innovator, GM’s growth strategy is to ensure that our current and future fleet of vehicles address the unique needs of the region for price, range, performance, and charging," said Al Shurafa.

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In addition to the roll out of EVs, GM is also set to launch its pioneering autonomous vehicles to the market, with the GM majority-owned Cruise embarking on a partnership with Dubai RTA.

The agreement will see the self-driving and shared vehicle company bring its autonomous vehicle service, powered by GM’s Ultium battery technology, to the UAE, as the first international venture outside of the US.

GM’s EV and AV roll-out is elevated in tandem by cohesive efforts with local government, corporate and private entities to ensure infrastructure readiness.

This feeds into regional government visions to achieve various net zero ambitions, spanning the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Net Zero 2060 vision, as well as UAE’s and Qatar’s 2050 Net Zero ambition.

As part of the electrification push, GM is also bringing to market wider mobility solutions within the logistical space, exemplified by the partnership with UAE’s Emirates Post.

Read More: Launch of MOTOR's Electric Car-Sharing in the UAE