Jordan aiming for regional EV supremacy

(robert paul van beets)

Jordan's electric vehicle future has come one step closer with the signing of an agreement to implement a pilot construction program of charging stations.

This week, French charging station manufacturer DBT confirmed that it will build a series of solar-powered chargers in key Jordanian locations which will be used for charging cars and bicycles.

The program focuses on the tourist cities of Aqaba, Petra, as well as the Jordanian capital Amman, and will begin within three months.

DBT is working with coalition partners Matra and AllCell to set up a full electric vehicle infrastructure in the country, with the other companies providing solar panel manufacturing and battery manufacturing facilities respectively.

If everything goes according to plan, Jordan will become the only country in its region to possess such advanced green technology, a testament to the success of the government's ambitious green transportation agenda.

The country intends to have 300 electric vehicles on the road next year for use by the public sector, and it intends for other sectors to follow.

Earlier this year, Nissan signed a partnership with Jordan, its first partner in the Arab region, to promote its zero-emission technology and its Leaf electric vehicle in the country.

At the time, Jordanian Environment Minister Hazem Malhas pointed out that "for a country that enjoys 330 days of sun per year, such technology will provide an excellent alternative to the conventional automobiles."

Visit Jordan to see for yourself: http://www.visitjordan.com/