Saudi Smart Mobility Strategy Advisory: Key 2025 Insights
Saudi Arabia’s smart mobility transformation accelerated in 2025, led by critical developments in electric vehicles (EVs), urban air mobility (UAM), and local manufacturing. As the Saudi Smart Mobility Strategy Advisory, we spotlight how cross-sector partnerships and infrastructure investments are setting the stage for scalable transit innovation—despite today’s market limitations.
Tackling 0.2% EV Penetration: The Push Toward 30% by 2030
In 2023, EVs accounted for just 0.2% of total car sales in Saudi Arabia—well below the GCC average of 1.2% and the UAE’s 5%. Despite low uptake, Riyadh’s goal of reaching 30% EV penetration by 2030 remains intact. Advisory perspectives emphasize layered solutions: incentives for fleet electrification, strategic fuel pricing, and accelerated deployment of public charging networks.
Also Read: How Saudi Tackles 0.2% EV Penetration: Strategic Levers in Motion
$1B Electric Air Travel Deal Announced in June 2025
On June 2025, Abdul Latif Jameel and Joby Aviation signed an MoU for up to 200 electric aircraft, valued at $1 billion. These 4-passenger eVTOLs will travel at up to 200 mph, with pilot training and MRO infrastructure built into the delivery framework. The initial rollout is expected in Dubai by 2026, with Saudi Arabia following closely—advancing our advisory’s regional UAM integration goals.
Drone Logistics Cut Medical Delivery Time by 93% in Hajj Pilots
During the June 2025 Hajj season, drones deployed by Terra Drone Arabia reduced delivery times for critical medical goods in Mina and Arafat from 90 minutes to under 6. The DJI-powered fleet, using Unifly’s UTM, demonstrated the value of autonomous logistics in high-density environments—an approach the Saudi Smart Mobility Strategy Advisory views as replicable across the Gulf.
Vertiport Development at 22 Airports (Announced Nov 2024)
In November 2024, Saudi Arabia moved to install UAM infrastructure across 22 airports via partnerships with UrbanV and Cluster2 Airports. These vertiports will host eVTOL services for VIP, cargo, and emergency transport. Our advisory sees this as foundational to Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a strategic transit hub across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
NEOM Orders 100 Lilium eVTOLs in Early 2025
In early 2025, NEOM committed to purchasing 100 eVTOL aircraft from Germany’s Lilium. These fixed-wing jets will connect NEOM’s futuristic districts with seamless, point-to-point air mobility. From the advisory standpoint, this marks MEA’s first institutional-scale eVTOL airline commitment—signaling deep confidence in Saudi-led smart aviation.
$2.18B Investment in EV Manufacturing Announced Mid-2025
CEER and Hyundai Transys launched a $2.18 billion initiative to localize EV system integration. While CEER currently assembles vehicles using Hyundai ADAS and Nvidia platforms, the advisory notes that full-scale manufacturing will require deeper tech independence and vertical integration—especially as global EV supply chains shift and Chinese OEMs gain traction.
Cross-Market Urban Air Mobility MoUs Signed in 2025
Joby Aviation signed an MoU with Aramco’s Mukamalah to deploy eVTOLs across its vast corporate fleet. Meanwhile, Eve Air Mobility partners with Flynas and Saudia Technic to launch operations in Riyadh and Jeddah by 2026. These engagements reflect our Saudi Smart Mobility Strategy Advisory goals to embed high-efficiency air transit into national aviation planning and city infrastructure.
Also Read: 77.8% of Saudis Ready for Smart Mobility: What’s Next?
