Qatar is set to establish its first electric vehicle manufacturing plant through a long-term partnership between Doha-based JTA International Investment Holding and UK-based Watt Electric Vehicle Company.
The companies plan to design, engineer and manufacture electric vehicles for Gulf markets. Vehicle development will take place in the UK, while production is expected to begin at a new facility in Qatar.
The vehicles will use Watt EV’s patented Paces platform, which supports both passenger and commercial applications. The project covers platform technology, vehicle engineering, product development, production planning and the development of manufacturing capabilities in Qatar.
The partnership was announced in Doha by JTA founder and CEO Amir Ali Salemi Zadeh and Watt EV founder and CEO Neil Yates. According to the announcement, the project is intended to accelerate technology transfer, strengthen local manufacturing and create skilled jobs in support of Qatar National Vision 2030.
JTA said the vehicles will be developed around Gulf operating conditions, including the region’s climate and customer requirements. For Watt EV, the agreement expands its presence into the Gulf and builds on its Paces platform, which the company said enables customized vehicle development while reducing development time and manufacturing costs.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
