Amman, Jordan–Jordanians are increasingly adopting electric cars in a push towards abandoning the fuel-guzzling cars that have become so hard to run in the face of high fuel prices.
Speaking at a workshop on the future of eco-friendly vehicles in Jordan, Khalaf Humeisat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Free and Development Zones Group, said that free zones and development zones are “a distinguished type of investment” for being effective in attracting local and foreign capital, and an incubator of production and exports due to the facilities and incentives they offer.
The Zarqa Free Zone is the main local and regional vehicle trade terminal of the kingdom, he said, noting that such zones were set up in line with best international practices and provide facilities for investors to easily carry out their economic activities.
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He referred to indicators of economic performance in the free zones and development zones, which showed that the volume of investment in these areas was at JD2.756 billion, and exports were at JD4.120 billion.
President of the National Society for Consumer Protection Mohammad Obeidat said “all institutions and consumers in our society” have an interest in electric vehicles, noting that a consumer pays a monthly average of JD150 for fuel.
He stressed the importance of “keeping up with the times” and owning an eco-friendly electric car that reduces transport costs by about 70 percent, although a consumer is still hesitant on this step.
Head of the Jordan Free Zones Investors Association, Mohammad Bastanji, said that the local market is witnessing a growing demand for electric vehicles, with more than 16,000 vehicles cleared in 2022, which underlines consumer confidence in them.