Electric Vehicles in the Gulf Region: Performance and Potential

This paper addresses the performance and potential of using electric vehicles in the Gulf Arab states. Based on a survey executed in Salalah, Oman, a representative test driving cycle has been set up. This cycle is the first of its kind for this region, where it is driven with a vehicle provided with special measurement equipment to log important values, e.g. vehicle's speed and position, temperatures and solar irradiance. More than 40 test drives are performed to obtain a representative driver profile. The driving cycle and driver profile are used in a simulation model which is capable of simulating the energy consumption for internal combustion engine or electric motor propulsion systems. The simulation model which contains detailed models for the driver, driving cycle, vehicle components and its dynamics is validated and used to compare the consumed energy for the two different propulsion systems. The model calculates the total cost per 100 km for each system and then a statement on the saving potentials using electric vehicles is made. Additionally to the Salalah Driving Cycle, the New European Driving Cycle and the Stuttgart Driving Cycle are used in the simulation model to obtain further data concerning the energy consumption and the total cost per 100 km. The simulation results show great saving potential when electric vehicle is used. Regardless of the excessive availability of the oil in the Gulf Arab states, the measurements and the simulation results encourage further investigation of exploiting electric vehicles with solar energy in this region.