Morocco has managed to join the ranks of countries that manufacture electric cars after reaching a production capacity of 40,000 electric cars annually, according to Moroccan Minister of Industry Riady Mezzour, which may enable it to enter international competition. This comes after an experiment that made Morocco export 700,000 traditional cars (fuel-powered) per year.
Morocco announced this September the start of marketing a locally manufactured hybrid car, two months after manufacturing. It is a vehicle that combines a fuel engine and an electric motor, in the city of Tangier for the first time in the country’s history.
Moroccan economic analyst Mohamed Nazif pointed out the need for the country to invest its previous experience in the automotive sector to establish a strong industry in the electric vehicle sector.
Morocco began manufacturing its first electric car in June 2020, and launched the first locally produced electric car charging station in December of the same year.
Hybrid car
Last July, Morocco announced the manufacture of the first “hybrid” car in the city of Tangier, for the first time in the country’s history.
A hybrid car uses more than one energy source and combines a conventional fuel engine (petrol or diesel) with an electric motor.
Industry Minister Riyad Mezzour said in a post by the Ministry of Industry, via the (X) platform, that his country will manufacture 200 cars of this type daily to target the domestic and European markets.
He described this step as “important for the country’s automotive industry,” expecting the car to be well-received, given that his country wants to target several markets.
“With this new vehicle, Morocco continues its shift towards electric and hybrid mobility, while making carbon-free manufacturing one of the key pillars of the new industrial strategy,” Mezzour continued.
Electric cars
Before investing in the hybrid car, the French company Citroen announced the manufacture of the first electric car at its factory in the city of Kenitra, northwest of the Kingdom, in June 2020.
On December 21, 2020, Morocco unveiled a locally produced prototype electric car charging station.
Economic analyst Mohamed Nazif pointed out that the country should invest its previous experience in the automotive sector to establish a strong industry in the electric car sector.
Anadolu Agency quoted Nazif as saying that strengthening the electric car industry, the spare parts sector and other components related to the sector is a necessary matter.
Investing in electric cars
Nazif called for encouraging investment in electric cars, training local workers, and facilitating after-sales service.
He pointed out the necessity of manufacturing all car components within the country, especially since the supply chain is witnessing an increase in global risks, given the instability at the international level, and its impact on the cost of maritime transport.
Regarding the local market, Nazif stressed the need to provide electric and hybrid cars to be available to citizens.
In contrast, the economic analyst said that the international market is witnessing great competition in this field, especially the Asian, American and European markets.
He added, “Maintaining the pace of manufacturing has become necessary, taking into account competition and market fluctuations, in addition to diversifying production methods.”
Morocco’s industry minister said last May that his country aims to increase production of electric cars to 100,000 by 2025.
In an interview with the energy website (Mustaqil), the minister added that the challenge facing the country is not to sell the cheapest electric cars in the world, but rather to be able to integrate the entire production value chain, to be able to compete, and thus provide cars at reasonable prices.
He added, “We are betting on electric cars and are working to establish partnerships with key players to benefit from their expertise to develop the electric battery sector.”
