EVIQ Fast Charging Network and Tariffs in Saudi Arabia: Complete Public EV Guide

Key Takeaways

• Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) operates as a dedicated national developer formed as a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and the Saudi Electricity Co.
• Public charging tariffs are structured by power output: DC fast charging up to 50 kW is billed at 0.65 SAR / kWh, while ultra-fast dispensers rated up to 150 kW, 360 kW, and 400 kW are billed at 0.99 SAR / kWh.
• The operational footprint encompasses 8 Cities, 55 Locations, 131 Chargers, and 254 Connectors, backed by a strategic mandate targeting deploying more than 5,000 fast chargers across the Kingdom.
• Urban coverage is concentrated across key business hubs, with Riyadh currently hosting 20 operational stations, Jeddah operating seven stations, and Dammam operating five stations.
• Public dispensers utilize the standard CCS2 charging interface, providing plug compatibility across modern electric vehicles imported into Saudi Arabia.

National Deployment Scope and EVIQ Corporate Structure

The accelerated expansion of electric transport infrastructure across Saudi Arabia forms an essential pillar of national clean mobility targets. To build an accessible, high-reliability public charging backbone, the Kingdom established the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company, known as EVIQ. The enterprise operates as a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and the Saudi Electricity Co., aligning sovereign capital with national grid utility capabilities.

EVIQ's long-term operational objective focuses on deploying more than 5,000 fast chargers across the Kingdom. This deployment directly addresses the charging requirements of private electric vehicle drivers, commercial operators, and intercity travellers who require dependable high-speed replenishment beyond private residential garages.

Metropolitan deployment has prioritised population centres and high-density commercial developments. Riyadh currently hosts 20 operational stations, establishing the densest charging cluster in the Kingdom. In the western province, seven stations are already operating in Jeddah, while the Eastern Province features Dammam, which has five operational stations alongside three more that have been completed. This footprint ensures that EV owners within major metropolitan centres have access to dedicated rapid-charging hubs.

Hardware Specifications, Power Ratings, and Tariff Tiers

EVIQ utilizes advanced multi-tier direct current (DC) charging hardware from top global manufacturers, including Alpitronic and ABB. The equipment is segmented into distinct power brackets tailored to varied driver dwell times, from quick top-ups at highway rest stops to extended destination parking at retail centres.

The charging tariff is strictly determined by dispenser power output, ensuring transparent billing per kilowatt-hour consumed without hidden base connection fees.

The entry-level DC fast charging category is anchored by the Alpitronic HYC50 unit. Delivering power up to 50 kW, this dispenser is billed at the lower tariff tier of 0.65 SAR / kWh. This configuration is suited for commercial plazas, retail parks, and locations where drivers typically remain parked for moderate durations.

For high-demand hubs and arterial routes, EVIQ installs high-power dispensing systems. The Alpitronic HYC150 delivers charging capacity up to 150 kW, while the high-capacity ABB Terra360 dispenser provides charging output up to 360 kW. The top-tier Alpitronic HYC400 dispenser delivers rapid dispensing up to 400 kW. All three high-power tiers—spanning 150 kW, 360 kW, and 400 kW—are billed under a unified ultra-fast rate of 0.99 SAR / kWh.

Connector Standardization and Driver Access Protocols

Every public DC fast charger installed across the EVIQ network features the standardized CCS2 connector interface. Standardizing on the CCS2 format aligns Saudi public infrastructure with international standards, ensuring that electric passenger cars can connect seamlessly without non-standard aftermarket adapters.

Drivers interact with the charging network through the official digital application, which provides live telemetry on charger availability, connector status, and billing. The standard session process follows specific operational protocols:

1. Station Navigation and Stall Selection: Drivers locate available chargers through the app, which reports real-time occupancy across each site's connectors.
2. Physical Connection: The CCS2 plug is removed from the holster and inserted into the vehicle's charge port until the locking mechanism engages securely.
3. Session Initiation: The charging sequence is authorized via the mobile application or contactless RFID credentials, initiating digital handshake protocols between vehicle battery management systems and the charger controller.
4. Energy Dispensing and Metering: The dispenser delivers power according to the vehicle's onboard thermal and voltage envelope, metering consumed energy at 0.65 SAR / kWh or 0.99 SAR / kWh depending on the hardware rating.
5. Session Termination and Billing: The driver stops charging via the digital interface, uncouples the CCS2 plug, and receives an automated itemised receipt detailing kilowatt-hours dispensed and total SAR debited.

Integration with Domestic Automotive Manufacturing and Grid Utilities

The expansion of the EVIQ public charging network operates in direct synergy with Saudi Arabia's broader industrial ecosystem and Vision clean mobility objectives. By developing charging infrastructure in coordination with the Saudi Electricity Co., substation capacity allocations and distribution transformer loadings are managed proactively.

Furthermore, public charging infrastructure coordinates with emerging domestic automotive assembly and manufacturing initiatives. As electric vehicle availability broadens across commercial and private sectors, reliable access to 50 kW fast chargers and 400 kW ultra-fast dispensers provides confidence for fleet operators and private vehicle owners alike.

Drivers moving across metropolitan boundaries or travelling between major commercial hubs benefit from standardized CCS2 hardware and transparent tariff structures. Whether using destination-oriented 50 kW chargers billed at 0.65 SAR / kWh or highway-oriented 400 kW dispensers billed at 0.99 SAR / kWh, the nationwide deployment driven by the Public Investment Fund and the Saudi Electricity Co. establishes an accessible, scalable public charging ecosystem.