RIYADH: A new center to carry out high-level research into electric vehicle technology has been inaugurated in Riyadh.
The center is a partnership between the Riyadh-based King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the PIF-backed Lucid Group.
Research conducted at the center will focus on improving the efficiency, functionality and performance of Lucid vehicles, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It aims to harness experts from the Kingdom and further abroad to bolster the company’s research capabilities.
“This new innovation center embodies our ongoing commitment to leading the advancement of electric vehicle technology, and our support toward strengthening Saudi Arabia a hub for technological innovation,” Lucid interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, said.
“By combining Lucid’s engineering expertise with KACST’s advanced research capabilities, we will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
“Our teams are eager to begin the planned work together, recognizing this research will help shape the future of sustainable mobility.”
Senior vice president for research and development at KACST, Dr. Talal bin Ahmed Al-Sedairy, added that the center accelerated “the transformation of knowledge into products and technologies that support the future of sustainable mobility and enhance the competitiveness of the national economy.”
President of Lucid Middle East Faisal Sultan said: “The opening of this center is a major step forward in Lucid’s commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This collaboration strengthens our regional presence, nurtures local talent, and contributes to building a vibrant technology ecosystem aligned with Vision 2030.”
The center was developed in collaboration with KACST, one of the Kingdom’s leading research, development and innovation institutions, forming the second phase of the partnership between the two parties.
The center began its operations as a specialized facility for testing and validation and has since evolved to cover all stages of electric vehicle development.
It is the latest addition to Lucid’s network of facilities in the US and Saudi Arabia, including a showroom that opened in Alkhobar on Dec. 5.
The company said that its innovation center will serve as a key pillar of the Kingdom’s national research and development infrastructure, and actively contribute to the innovation and industrial application of future technologies within the country.
