{"id":656151,"date":"2024-11-29T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-29T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2024\/11\/29\/is-it-time-to-invest-in-an-ev\/"},"modified":"2024-11-29T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-29T00:00:00","slug":"is-it-time-to-invest-in-an-ev","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2024\/11\/29\/is-it-time-to-invest-in-an-ev\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it time to invest in an EV?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thinking about going <\/strong>electric<\/strong>? <\/strong>With gas prices skyrocketing and environmental sustainability becoming increasingly paramount, going down the electric vehicle (EV) route may sound like a compelling move. <\/p>\n

For years, EVs were touted as the be-all and end-all of the automotive industry\u2019s future, <\/strong>but the discourse around them has grown polarized as of late<\/strong> \u2014 the Financial Times proclaimed that electric cars are not the future<\/a>, Goldman Sachs described how The future of four wheels is all electric<\/a>, and the New York Times championed the middle ground, saying that The electric vehicle future is coming. Just a little more slowly<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Is Egypt ready to join the electric revolution?<\/strong> We spoke with a handful of industry veterans to break down the pros and cons of owning an EV, the current state of our infrastructure, and everything in between to help you decide if now's the time to plug in.<\/p>\n

THE CHALLENGES-<\/p>\n

#1- Egypt\u2019s charging infrastructure is underdeveloped: <\/strong>Three of the four sources we spoke to cited the country\u2019s limited charging infrastructure as the number one challenge facing EV owners in Egypt, deeming it a potential deal-breaker and the reason behind the limited popularity of EVs. There are roughly 300 charging stations in Egypt, said a source at Infinity EV, which runs the largest network in the country \u2014 205 stations and more than 700 charging points across 16 governorates. In contrast, there are over 4k EVs in the country, according to Khaled Saad, head of the Association of Automobile Manufacturers.<\/p>\n

This makes long-distance travel difficult.<\/strong> \u201cPeople considering trips to distant locations such as Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, or Marsa Allam will have to deal with the headache of mapping out where to charge their EVs along the way,\u201d said Abou Ghaly Motors Vice President Tamer Kotb. Models sold through authorized dealers on the local market can travel 450-650 km on a single full charge, he explained, adding that EVs are more suitable for commuting within the city.<\/p>\n

EVs rely more heavily on home charging: <\/strong>\u201cEVs are not designed for constant fast charging,\u201d which depletes the battery\u2019s health, said Kotb. \u201cThe ideal scenario is to charge your car at home overnight using an EV charging cable. This should cover around 80-85% of your charging needs, while charging stations should provide the remaining 20-25%,\u201d he explained. Most EVs come with a charging cable, but if not, you can purchase one for around USD 400-500. Home chargers use AC, or alternating current, that is transmitted through the national grid, while charging stations points offer AC, the faster direct current (DC), or both.<\/p>\n

A SNAPSHOT OF CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE:<\/strong> In addition to full-fledged charging stations, charging points are available at some malls, residential areas, compounds, and some parking lots in commercial spaces. Charging points are mostly concentrated in Greater Cairo and are not widely available in other governorates or on roads between more distant governorates, said Montaser Zaytoun, chairperson of Zaytoun Auto Mall and member of the FEDCOC\u2019s auto division. However, some stations have started to sprout in more eco-conscious cities like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, Kotb said.<\/p>\n

TIP- You can easily locate charging points through a handful of popular charge point <\/strong>operators that offer detailed maps of their charging points via mobile applications:<\/strong><\/p>\n