Zahraa Habib
Chairman of the Bahraini Businessmen Association, Ahmed bin Hindi, confirmed that the project to regulate electric vehicle charging operations in the Kingdom of Bahrain has become an urgent economic and regulatory necessity to ensure the growth of this promising sector in a safe and attractive manner for investment, noting that Bahrain’s imports of these vehicles amounted to 16 million US dollars in 2024, with the expectation that it will witness growth at an annual rate of more than 15% in the next five years, reaching nearly 20 million dollars by 2030.
He called for the establishment of a unified national platform for charging station data that enables drivers to know the locations and prices, while providing opportunities for programming mobile phone applications, especially for emerging companies.
Bin Hindi said in a special statement to Al-Watan that adopting a clear regulatory framework for the charging system that includes licensing and technical safety standards will protect the consumer and reduce the cost of adopting electric vehicles in the medium term.
He added that Bahrain has already begun practical steps to build the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, as the Electricity and Water Authority signed an agreement to supply five high-speed charging stations, which reflects the seriousness of the national trend to reduce carbon emissions by 2035 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
Regarding the size of the current market, Bin Hindi stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s imports of electric vehicles amounted to about 16 million US dollars last year, with a remarkable growth in imports coming from Germany and the United Arab Emirates in recent years, while China, Germany and South Korea represent the most prominent global exporters of these vehicles.
He pointed out that the Bahraini market for electric vehicles is expected to witness growth at an annual rate of more than 15% in the next five years, with the value of the market rising to approximately $20 million by 2030, driven by the expansion of the supply of electric vehicles, the decline in the cost of batteries, and the improvement of the charging network. He added that the availability of a solid regulatory system will transform Bahrain into a preferred destination for service providers and investors in this vital and important sector.
Regarding the size and number of electric cars in Bahrain this year 2025, Bin Hindi pointed out that the number is less than 200 vehicles, most of which are imported vehicles such as Tesla and BYD cars, and at least 45 units were sold this year until September 2025.
He explained that regulating the electric vehicle charging market will address expected challenges, the most important of which is load management on the network, and will allow the launch of innovative business models in this important sector.
He pointed out that indicators confirm that the Kingdom of Bahrain is an open market capable of rapid growth once the regulatory and service system for charging electric vehicles is completed.
In addition, Bin Hindi appreciated the government initiatives supporting this sector, including the move to impose charging equipment in new commercial buildings as a step that enhances infrastructure readiness and encourages demand for electric vehicles, calling for this to be complemented by issuing detailed regulations that include: technical accreditation standards for charging stations, rights and duties of the operator and consumer, and licensing and oversight mechanisms.
He also called for the establishment of a unified national platform for charging station data that enables drivers to know the locations and prices, while providing opportunities to program mobile phone applications, especially for emerging companies, to encourage them to invest in this field and provide innovative services.
Bin Hindi added, “In recent years, we have witnessed a noticeable increase in the desire of citizens in the Kingdom to purchase electric cars, driven by the growth of environmental awareness and the expansion of environmentally friendly car offers. Studies indicate the growth of the electric car market year after year, but the prices of electric cars are still relatively high. “This limits its spread in the Bahraini market.”
On the other hand, the esteemed government has developed the infrastructure for this sector at an accelerated pace, as the government has revealed strategic partnerships to expand the network of high-speed charging stations and strengthen regulatory frameworks to encourage investment in electric cars.
He stressed the importance of encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors, which allows accelerating the deployment of charging stations on highways, commercial complexes, and public parking lots, and linking this to investment and financing incentives, and localization programs for technical skills in installation, maintenance, and after-sales services, in a way that creates quality job opportunities for citizens.
He noted that Bahraini consumer interest in the electric car sector is still relatively low, due to the limited charging stations and the high value of insurance, and most electric car purchases are driven by individual interest and not widespread demand.
Bin Hindi concluded his statement by emphasizing that regulating charging operations is not a secondary option, but rather the cornerstone for the success of the transition to electric vehicles, stressing that “the sooner we complete the legislative, technical and regulatory system, the greater the confidence of consumers and investors, and this will reflect positively on the competitiveness and sustainability of the national economy.”
