Experts: 30% annual growth expected for the electric car market in Bahrain until 2030

Heba Mohsen

Farid Badr:

Government regulations and strategic partnerships pave the way for a sustainable electric future

The growth of the automobile market in Bahrain reflects a supportive environment for the expansion of electric cars

Walid Kanoo:

Rapid growth of the electric car market with the entry of international brands

Increasing customer demand reflects growing confidence in electric vehicles

Nawaf Al-Zayani:

The future of electric cars in Bahrain is promising, driven by global technical developments. Improved battery efficiency and charging speeds enhance the reliability of electric cars.

Experts in the automotive sector expect that the electric car market in the Kingdom of Bahrain will witness a compound annual growth of more than 30% until 2030, in a strategic shift that strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a regional center for sustainable mobility, driven by the acceleration of technical developments and the expansion of investments in this vital sector.

Experts said in statements to Al-Watan that government regulations and strategic partnerships pave the way for a more sustainable electric future, stressing that the growth of the car market in Bahrain reflects a supportive environment for the expansion of electric vehicles and enhancing their presence in the local market.

They added that the market is witnessing rapid growth with the entry of international brands and increasing customer demand, which reflects the growing confidence in electric cars, in conjunction with the continuous improvement in the efficiency of batteries and charging speeds, which enhances the reliability of these vehicles and supports the acceleration of their adoption, in a clear indication of the Kingdom’s move towards consolidating its position among the leading countries regionally in the field of sustainable mobility.

Experts in this sector believe that the electric car market in Bahrain is witnessing a crucial transitional stage, as the Kingdom looks forward to achieving ambitious visions targeting sustainability.

According to statements, the percentage of electric car sales currently amounts to only 1.7%, with continuous annual growth, and as a result of national commitments on climate and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 30.7%, reaching a value of up to 5.98 million US dollars by 2030.

Increased government support and changing consumer attitudes offer a promising prospect for a more sustainable electric future, as improvements in infrastructure and increased consumer awareness are expected to be key factors in enhancing diffusion and increasing customer confidence in electric cars, which indicates strong growth potential in the coming years.

Chairman of the Industry and Energy Committee at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Farid Badr, said that the electric vehicle (EV) market in Bahrain is going through a decisive transitional phase characterized by ambitious visions towards sustainability, offset by real challenges associated with the early adoption phase. He said: “Currently, electric vehicles represent only 1.7% of total car sales, with growth in the market stagnating at 0.6% in 2025.

However, driven by national climate commitments and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, the market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.7%, targeting a value of US$5.98 million by 2030.

He added: “The key to achieving this potential lies in overcoming significant obstacles, as strategic government regulations, expanding infrastructure development partnerships, and changing consumer attitudes are important factors that pave the way towards a greener automotive future.”

Badr explained that the automotive market in Bahrain shows good resilience, as the total automobile market grew by 6.2% on an annual basis until October 2025.

He continued: “The value of the electric car market was estimated at about one million dinars in 2024, however, we witnessed a noticeable increase in 2025 by 6%,” noting that Chinese cars lead the market, followed by German cars.

According to Badr, the long-term outlook for electric cars in Bahrain is positive, noting that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 30% from 2025 to 2030, and this comes with the support of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

He pointed out that providing convenient charging points represents a crucial challenge, stressing that the new regulations will help improve the situation, before praising the strategic partnerships, including with the Electricity and Water Authority.

He concluded by saying, “Bahrain’s journey towards electric mobility is a testament to its commitment to a sustainable economy.

With continued commitment, Bahrain has the potential to become a regional leader in this field.”

For his part, member of the Board of Directors of Ibrahim Khalil Kanoo Company, Walid Kanoo, said that the electric car market in the Kingdom of Bahrain has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, with the entry of new brands from multiple countries including Japan, Korea, Europe, China and the United States, which reflects a growing global and local interest in adopting electric vehicles that are compatible with the goals of sustainability and reducing emissions.

Kanoo explained that the number of electric cars in Bahrain is still limited, estimated at less than a thousand vehicles, but customer acceptance of them is clearly increasing thanks to the great development in safety technologies, lower operating costs, and improved battery efficiency and thermal management systems.

Regarding insurance, he pointed out that insurance prices for electric cars are still higher than traditional cars, attributing this to an inaccurate assessment by some insurance companies, as these vehicles are treated as if they are highly sensitive electronic devices.

Kanoo touched on the charging infrastructure, noting that Bahrain has witnessed a noticeable improvement over the past period compared to previous years, as some vehicles needed a long time to charge using old slow chargers.

Today, the spread of two- and three-phase chargers, in addition to fast chargers, has greatly reduced charging time, whether at homes or stations.

He also explained that the global development in charging technologies has reached capacities exceeding 350-360 kilowatts, which rely on liquid cooling, and theoretically allow the vehicle to be charged in about 15 minutes. These technologies are expected to expand their presence in the region in the future.

In a related context, he referred to the “REEV” technology, the extended-range electric vehicle “that recently entered the market,” explaining that it represents an important option for users of electric cars, as the gasoline engine in it works only as a power generator without any mechanical connection to the wheels, which allows a driving range that may reach about 950 kilometers, while maintaining a fully electric driving experience, reducing emissions and improving the level of efficiency.

Kanoo added that the development in batteries – including 60 kilowatt batteries – has contributed to improving the charging speed and performance of vehicles on the road.

He said that most companies today focus on ensuring that the vehicle reaches 80% of charge as quickly as possible, before charging slows down after that to preserve the battery’s health and lifespan.

Walid Kanoo advised users to maintain a moderate charging rate and not charge the battery to 100% continuously, as it has a positive impact on performance and long operating life.

At the conclusion of his statement, Walid Kanoo expressed his optimism about the future of electric cars in Bahrain, stressing that their spread will increase with the continued development of modern technologies and the expansion of charging infrastructure, in line with the Kingdom’s vision of supporting sustainability and preserving the environment, and enhancing consumer choices in the local market.

In turn, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Zayani Investments Group, Nawaf Al Zayani, said that the future of electric cars in Bahrain seems promising, especially with the rapid developments in this technology worldwide.

He added: “Over the past few years, we have witnessed a noticeable improvement in the efficiency of batteries and increased charging speeds, making electric driving systems more reliable.

The strong entry of Chinese companies into the market has helped accelerate innovation and increase competition in the areas of driving range and safety technologies.”

He explained: “In Bahrain, we have begun to see an increasing reliance not only on fully electric cars, but also on complementary solutions such as hybrid cars. These options constitute an important bridge that makes it easier for customers to move towards greater reliance on electricity.”