On eMobility and Renewable Energy Integration

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), if the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market seen over the last two years continues, CO2 emissions from cars could be on track to meet the Net Zero Emissions Scenario.

When discussing matters of sustainability, the transport sector is a vital subject. In 2022, CO2 emissions from the sector increased by over 250 million tonnes (MT), reaching nearly eight gigatonnes. This reflects a 3% increase from 2021.

Today, we see a strong global push for sustainable transportation. And eMobility has become a key to help reduce the sector’s environmental impact. 

A sustainable shift

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), if the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market seen over the last two years continues, CO2 emissions from cars could be on track to meet the Net Zero Emissions Scenario.

In 2023, the rise of EVs helped avoid the use of around 0.9 million barrels of oil per day. To meet the ambitious Net Zero Emissions Scenario by 2030, EVs need to displace about 8.2 million barrels of oil per day.

But while EVs helped reduce oil use, they still consume electricity, though at a relatively small rate. Last year, the global fleet of EVs used about 130 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. And it was only about 0.5% of the world's total electricity use. 

To further accelerate the green movement, there needs to be a cleaner source of energy to power EVs.

In the Middle East, more countries have been embracing eMobility and renewable energy as part of their broader strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on oil. Countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of advancing their EV infrastructure. 

For example, in Qatar, the Free Zones Authority and ABB E-mobility have recently opened a state-of-the-art facility focused on electric vehicle charging solutions. Meanwhile, in the UAE, big players like Schneider Electric have been partnering with government agencies to expand EV infrastructure.

Renewable energy has a key role

To truly capitalise on the benefits of EVs, integrating renewable energy into the power grid is indeed crucial. This integration ensures that the electricity powering EVs comes from clean and sustainable sources rather than fossil fuels.

According to reports from PwC, major Middle Eastern economies have adequate clean energy capacity to accommodate more EVs.

For instance, by 2035, the addition of over 3 million EVs on Saudi roads is projected to increase electricity demand by about 5%. The firm considers this a manageable rise given the current capacity for renewable energy generation. Meanwhile, in the UAE, the capacity to handle a surge in electricity demand from EVs is also deemed sufficient, with an expected increase of only 1.6% by the same year.

While the rise in demand is manageable, there are still issues. And they primarily concern the intermittent nature of sources like solar and wind. This is compounded by the region’s harsh climate conditions. 

High temperatures can severely impact the performance and longevity of EV batteries, which are prone to decreased efficiency and faster degradation when regularly exposed to extreme heat. Furthermore, sand and dust storms can affect the reliability and maintenance schedules of both EVs and renewable energy installations, such as solar panels. 

Tapping advanced technology

These concerns can be managed with advancements in battery storage technology and smart grid solutions. The key is to balance supply and demand effectively. 

A promising development in this area is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. V2G systems allow EVs not just to consume power but also to return energy to the grid during peak usage times. This capability turns EVs into mobile storage units that can help stabilise the grid and optimise energy usage across the board. Globally, the V2G market is expected to hit $123.5 billion by 2033, representing a CAGR of 42.03%.

The stated reports by PwC also recommended tapping more technological advances. For example, research into advanced cooling technologies for EV batteries and more resilient solar panels will help address the challenges posed by the region's harsh climate. 

On top of all these, incentives for EV adoption and renewable energy investments — along with updated regulatory frameworks — are also needed to foster a conducive environment for eMobility.