The Electric Vehicle in Motion! Algeria Inaugurates First Charging Stations, Aims for a Greener Future
BY: Hana Saada
Algiers, July 27th, 2023 – A significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future was taken yesterday as the Minister of Energy and Mines inaugurated the first electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the picturesque Sablettes of Algiers. This marks the beginning of a national program, spearheaded by the Sonelgaz group, to establish 1,000 charging stations across the country by 2024, revolutionizing the EV landscape in Algeria.
The Journey Begins: 300 Stations in 2023, 700 in 2024
The much-anticipated national program, aimed at boosting the adoption of electric vehicles and promoting the country’s energy transition, has been entrusted to the Sonelgaz group. The program’s first phase involved meticulous research and planning during the initial semester. Now, with the successful inauguration of the Sablettes charging stations, the momentum is set to grow exponentially.
Speaking at the inauguration event, the first manager of Sonelgaz highlighted the program’s swift progression, revealing plans to equip three service stations located on the East-West highway with recharging stations in the coming days.
Diversified Distribution Strategy
The ambitious installation program for electric vehicle charging stations has been carefully laid out. By the end of 2023, the Sonelgaz group aims to have charging stations at 35 Naftal stations on the highway, each station having two charging units. Additionally, 19 Naftal stations in major cities will be equipped with an average of 8 terminals per station, while 39 Naftal stations in smaller towns will each have an average of two terminals.
Synergy in Action: Saieg and Sonelgaz Collaborate
To ensure a seamless execution of the program, Saieg, the Algerian company of electricity and gas industries, will handle the engineering and assembly of the charging stations. The CEO of Saieg expressed enthusiasm at the company’s readiness to manufacture these stations at their production unit located in El-Eulma (Sétif), formerly known as AMC.
Investing in a Cleaner Future: Billions Devoted to Charging Station Program
An initiative of this scale demands significant investment, and the commitment to a greener Algeria is evident in the funding allocated. The national program to install 1,000 EV charging stations is expected to cost over 15.073 billion DA. Individual charging stations have been estimated to cost more than 16.6 million DA for an “ordinary” station and over 27.3 million DA for a “double” charging station.
Empowering Versatility: Charging Stations Tailored for Various Vehicles
In a bid to accommodate diverse electric vehicle models, the charging stations come equipped with three types of sockets suitable for European, Asian, and hybrid cars. Boasting a power capacity of 150 kW, expandable to 300 kW, these charging stations can recharge a vehicle in approximately 15 minutes, delivering an unparalleled user experience.
Arkab’s Pledge: Ensuring Affordable Vehicles for All Citizens
In a significant step towards realizing the national program for energy transition, Mohamed Arkab, accompanied by key government officials and industry leaders, highlighted Algeria’s commitment to making electric vehicles (EVs) accessible to the public. The Minister of Energy emphasized the importance of these terminals being produced domestically by Sonelgaz group’s subsidiary, Saieg. This move not only strengthens Algeria’s technological capabilities in energy transition-related industries, but also fosters the training of a skilled workforce in this sector.
Arkab underscored that the project is not limited to electric vehicle charging stations alone. Algeria also plans to introduce other renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen, which will further boost its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and national consumption of hydrocarbons. He revealed that Algeria produces 1.5 million barrels of oil equivalent/day, while our internal consumption stands at 450,000 boe/day. This necessitates a reduction in internal consumption, making the energy transition and adoption of EVs crucial for the country’s sustainability goals.
Addressing concerns about the legislative framework, Arkab assured that the necessary texts for the certification of electric vehicles are ready. Furthermore, he emphasized the government’s commitment to encouraging clean energy adoption, including EVs, by ensuring affordable prices for these vehicles. He mentioned that developed countries incentivize clean mobility through various measures like conversion bonuses, tax exemptions, and other benefits, an approach that Algeria might also explore.
Encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, the energy minister suggested that Saieg officials consider powering the EV charging stations with solar panels. This integration would align with Algeria’s ambition to embrace cleaner and greener technologies.
Revolutionary Transition: Sonelgaz Commits to Converting Entire Rolling Stock to Electric Vehicles
Mourad Adjal, the CEO of Sonelgaz, added to the momentum by announcing the group’s plans to convert its rolling stock into electric vehicles. This move would extend to other means of transport, including buses, thereby establishing Sonelgaz as a driving force behind this new mode of transportation in Algeria. To promote the use of EVs, the CEO stated that the first recharging operations will be free, fostering greater adoption of the charging stations.
The pricing structure for EV charging services is currently under consideration by the electricity and gas regulation commission (CREG). Adjal mentioned that, for now, electric vehicle users will enjoy free charging, and payment methods, such as prepaid cards and CIB or Edahabia cards, will be offered for convenience.
Overall, Algeria’s commitment to an energy transition through EV adoption and the promotion of renewable energy sources signifies a bold step towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. By localizing EV production, encouraging the use of clean vehicles, and leveraging renewable energy for charging, the nation paves the way for a greener and more prosperous tomorrow.
