In the realm of electric mobility, the Middle East trails behind other regions. However, this delay may actually benefit the region by avoiding the costly trial-and-error phase experienced by others, according to industry experts.
“The Middle East is known for leading in tech innovation, but in electric mobility, it’s more of a follower. And that’s advantageous. While electric mobility isn’t new globally, with pioneers like China, Europe, and the US, the Middle East’s late entry means it skips the expensive trial-and-error phase,” stated Heiko Seitz, global e-mobility lead at PwC Middle East.
“Here, we’re now focused on building a more profitable, high-quality, and technologically advanced ecosystem. We bypass the painful trial phase,” he added.
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Seitz shared his insights during the Journey to Net Zero – UAE 2025 conference panel discussion.
Panelists at the Journey to Net Zero – UAE 2025 conference included Abdelrehman Elsheriff, Group Sustainability Manager at Agthia Group PJSC, Manosij Ganguli, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Aramex, Ahmed Samir Elbermbali, Sustainability Growth Director, MCA Region at Bureau Veritas Group, Roberto Colucci, Director of Electric Vehicles at AW Rostamani, and Heiko Seitz, Global E-mobility Lead at PwC Middle East. The conference, organized by Khaleej Times in Dubai on September 17, 2025, is a leading climate action event. KT Photo: Shihab
Hosted by Khaleej Times, the UAE’s first English daily, the conference is a top-tier climate action event attended by prominent public and private sector leaders. The fourth edition offered insights into regulatory frameworks, green financing, and ESG compliance.
Seitz noted the increasing influx of electric vehicles in the UAE.
“We predict that by 2035, 25% of all new cars sold will be battery electric. Hydrogen won’t play a major role in passenger or general mobility markets. The rise of EVs will necessitate more charging infrastructure,” he said during a sustainability-driven mobility panel discussion focusing on EVs, logistics, and last-mile insights.
Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Aramex, Manosij Ganguli, also emphasized the challenges of eco-friendly mobility solutions and the company’s net-zero goal.
Ahmed Samir Elbermbali of Bureau Veritas Group and Roberto Colucci of AW Rostamani also contributed to the discussion.
