CAIRO: Oman is currently developing the Middle East's first electric car in a move seen as a step forward toward moving away from oil-based consumption, the country's ministry of environment said. Local company Noor Majan is developing the vehicle, which will reportedly have over 2,000 miles in capacity for each charge. This will make it the most efficient electric car of its kind as the Tesla Roadster currently can only go some 250 miles per every charge-up. “This is something that we have really supported,” Nadir AbdelGhazek, a ministry spokesman, told Bikya Masr via telephone. He believes that through the government's efforts, the vehicle will be able to make an immediate impact on the market once complete. “Although it will initially be expensive, we believe that through our promotion and marketing of the vehicle, it will eventually be able to be sold throughout the region and across the globe,” the spokesman added. According to a company statement, the new vehicle is expected to be completed later this year and will be available early 2011 “if all goes as planned.” Noor Majan said the vehicle will have an 800-horsepower engine, air-conditioning powered by solar energy, will be able to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in four seconds and have all the “necessities of a luxury vehicle.” It will sell for between $70,000 and $91,000, the company said, but added that less “luxurious models will be in the works following the release next year of this vehicle.” According to Omar Hashem, an Egyptian energy expert working with Abu Dhabi's government on clean technology, the new car “should allow the first step toward the Middle East becoming energy sufficient without concentrating on oil.” He believes that the price tag will have to drop in order to be an overall success, but isn't worried about the potential buyers who will line-up to be on the “cutting edge of technology.” BM
