Electric, Battery and Autonomous Vehicles in the MENA Region: Recent Regulatory Developments

This blog was originally posted on 24th August, 2026. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

Authored by Mohammed Gamal Alrefaei, Regulatory Compliance Analyst, Adherent

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Key Insight

Electric vehicle regulation across the MENA region is increasingly split across vehicles, batteries, chargers, charging infrastructure and autonomous driving systems. For businesses, this means that compliance may require considering separate product, installation and operating requirements rather than looking only at the vehicle itself.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Recent Developments at a Glance
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Israel
• Turkey
• Morocco and Jordan
• The Wider GCC
• Egypt
• Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

In the last two years, the regulatory framework for electric vehicles in the MENA region has gone through several developments. In Saudi Arabia, technical regulations for electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles were introduced. The UAE published mandatory requirements for electric cars and EV chargers at both federal and Emirate level. Going a bit further north, both Israel and Turkey introduced or updated requirements relating to electric vehicles and EV charging, with Israel updating its EV charging standards and Turkey adopting Euro 7 requirements covering traction battery durability. Morocco and Jordan have also been active in developing further national standards for EVs and charging equipment.

Depending on the country, separate requirements may apply to different parts of the electric mobility system, including the traction battery, charger, charging station and autonomous driving systems, rather than only to the vehicle itself. This means that looking beyond the vehicle is necessary.

Recent Developments at a Glance

Market	Recent Regulatory Development	Date
Saudi Arabia	Technical Regulation for Electric Vehicles, Version 3	Approved 3 October 2024; published 3 January 2025
Saudi Arabia	Technical Regulation for Autonomous Vehicles	Approved 17 July 2025; mandatory from 29 April 2026
UAE	Cabinet Resolution No. 50 of 2024 Concerning the Technical Requirements of Electric Cars	Effective 31 May 2025
UAE	Cabinet Resolution No. 175 of 2025 Regarding the Technical Regulation for Requirements of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)	Effective 27 May 2026
Israel	Drafts SI 61851 Part 1, Part 3.1 and Part 3.2	Published for comment in May 2026; comments closed 26 June 2026
Turkey	Regulation (EU/2024/1257) on Euro 7 Type Approval, Emissions and Battery Durability	Published 24 October 2025; phased application from November 2026
Jordan	Draft JS 61851-1:2022/Amd 1:2026	Published 21 June 2026
Morocco	New programme of draft Moroccan EV standards	Announced 22 May 2026
Kuwait	KWS GSO 2698:2023 Technical Requirements for Electric Vehicles	Published 4 June 2023
Bahrain	Adoption of GSO IEC 61851-21-1:2024 and GSO IEC 61851-24:2024	Published 28 November 2024

Saudi Arabia

Electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia are regulated through a number of regulations rather than one single framework.

Electric vehicles fall under the Technical Regulation for Electric Vehicles which was published by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) published on 3 January 2025. The Regulation sets technical and conformity requirements for electric vehicles placed on the Saudi market.

Batteries are covered under a separate Technical Regulation for Electrical Batteries, while EV chargers and their accessories are also subject to a separate SASO approval process. This means that approval of the vehicle does not necessarily cover the battery or charging equipment supplied with it.

A more recent development was the Technical Regulation for Autonomous Vehicles introduced by SASO and published on 31 October 2025 and became mandatory on 29 April 2026.

Furthermore, several standards supporting the Regulation form an integral part of the approval process. These include SAE J3016 for driving automation classifications, the ISO 26262 series on functional safety, ISO/PAS 21448 on Safety of the Intended Functionality (SOTIF), UN Regulation No. 155 on cybersecurity, UN Regulation No. 156 on software updates and UN Regulation No. 157 on Automated Lane Keeping Systems. Standards addressing rechargeable energy storage systems and electric powertrains are also included

United Arab Emirates

The UAE has recently introduced separate federal requirements for electric cars and EV charging equipment.

Cabinet Resolution No. 50 of 2024 Concerning the Technical Requirements of Electric Cars in the United Arab Emirates was issued on 15 May 2024 and entered into force on 31 May 2025.

On 18 November 2025 Cabinet Resolution No. 175 of 2025 Regarding the Technical Regulation for Requirements of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) which covers EV charging equipment was issued. The Resolution entered into force on 27 May 2026.

At the federal level, electric cars and their charging equipment are therefore subject to separate product requirements. Installation and operation of charging equipment may also be subject to additional Emirate level requirements. 

Dubai

In Dubai, Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Regulation for the Emirate of Dubai requires independent operators of public charging equipment to obtain a Charge Point Operator licence. The Regulation provided a six-month transitional grace period under the original framework that ended on 31 March 2025.

Moreover, Dubai also has separate EV Charging Technical Regulations covering matters such as AC and DC chargers and connection requirements.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has its own Regulatory Policy for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure which has applied since 1 March 2022.

It covers the ownership and installation of EV charging equipment, grid connection, electricity supply, metering and operation.

For companies supplying chargers across the UAE, this means federal product requirements need to be considered alongside the rules applying in the individual Emirate where the equipment will be installed.

Israel

Israel is currently updating several parts of its SI 61851 series for conductive EV charging systems.

In May 2026, the Standards Institution of Israel issued a new draft of SI 61851 Part 1, based on IEC 61851-1:2017 and its 2023 corrigendum.

The draft covers conductive EV charging equipment with input and output voltages of up to 1,000 V AC and 1,500 V DC. Once adopted, it is intended to replace the previous May 2020 edition.

Two further drafts were also released.

SI 61851 Part 3.1, based on IEC TS 61851-3-1:2023, covers stationary DC EV supply equipment with rated output voltages of up to 120 V DC.

SI 61851 Part 3.2, largely based on IEC TS 61851-3-2:2023, covers portable and mobile DC EV supply equipment.

Both Part 3 drafts deal specifically with equipment where protection against electric shock is provided through double or reinforced insulation.

The Israeli drafts also contain national modifications. These include references to the Electricity Law, 1954, Israeli requirements on protection against electric shock, and national standards for plugs, sockets and other electrical components.

Comments on all three drafts closed on 26 June 2026.

As these documents remain in draft form, the new requirements have not yet been formally adopted. If subsequently declared official or mandatory, the applicable commencement rules under Israeli law would then need to be considered.

Turkey

On 24 October 2025, Turkey introduced new requirements for EV batteries under the Regulation on the Type Approval of Motor Vehicles and Engines and of Systems, Components and Separate Technical Units Intended for Such Vehicles with Respect to Emissions and Battery Durability (Euro 7) (EU/2024/1257).

Although Euro 7 is generally associated with vehicle emissions, the Turkish Regulation also covers electricity consumption, electric range and traction battery durability.

Manufacturers must meet minimum battery durability requirements. Vehicles must also have systems capable of monitoring the state of health (SOH) of the traction battery. The Regulation also contains requirements relating to battery durability data and cybersecurity.

The requirements will be introduced in stages.

New M1 and N1 vehicle types must comply from 28 November 2026, while existing type-approved M1 and N1 vehicles must comply from 28 November 2027.

For heavier vehicles, the requirements will apply from 28 May 2028 and 28 May 2029, depending on whether the vehicle is a new type or already type approved.

Morocco and Jordan

Morocco

In May 2026, the Moroccan Standards Institute (IMANOR) introduced new drafts covering EV charging infrastructure, conductive charging interfaces and protocols, wireless charging, electrical safety, batteries and energy storage, and battery-swapping systems. The drafts were then submitted to a one-month public enquiry under EP 33-2026.

Jordan

On 21 June 2026, the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization circulated draft JS 61851-1:2022/Amd 1:2026, which amends the national standard for conductive EV charging systems. The consultation period ran for one month.

The Wider GCC

On 4 February 2025, GSO notified a new Technical Regulation for Electric Vehicles on behalf of GCC Member States. The draft was later reviewed by the GSO Technical Council in April 2025.

At the same time, individual GCC countries continue to apply their own measures.

Kuwait

Kuwait applies KWS GSO 2698:2023, Technical Requirements for Electric Vehicles, as a Kuwaiti Technical Regulation.

Bahrain

In Bahrain, Ministerial Decision No. 87 of 2024 which was published on 28 November 2024 adopted a number of Gulf standards relevant to EV charging equipment.

These include GSO IEC 61851-21-1:2024, covering EMC requirements for on-board chargers, and GSO IEC 61851-24:2024, covering digital communication between DC charging stations and EV charging control systems.

Bahrain’s import conformity requirements also distinguish between the vehicle and its components. Imported EVs require a GSO conformity certificate for each type while EV batteries and chargers require a manufacturer’s declaration of conformity.

Oman

Oman’s 2025 Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Code includes requirements for EV-ready parking and EVSE installations.

Appendix CG requires EVSE to comply with the Oman Electrical Standard and refers to UL 2202 and UL 2594 for charging systems and supply equipment.

Qatar

Qatar uses the Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure Guideline developed by KAHRAMAA and the transport authorities.

The Guideline covers charger selection, charging capacity, equipment specifications, communication protocols, IP ratings and installation requirements. Proposed installations are reviewed against the relevant specifications.

Egypt

Egypt regulates commercial EV charging through Periodic Book No. 5 of 2022 on the Rules for Regulating Work in the Field of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, approved by the EgyptERA Board on 24 February 2022.

The rules distinguish between residential and commercial charging. Commercial operators may require an establishment permit followed by an operating licence and must comply with technical codes, electricity connection requirements, metering rules and approved commercial arrangements.

Furthermore, on 10 May 2026, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly discussed the government’s plans to support the expansion of electric vehicles in Egypt. The meeting covered the development of charging infrastructure and digital systems, including the expansion of smart and fast-charging stations, as well as cybersecurity and international safety standards. Although no new regulation was introduced, The government’s approach to EV infrastructure therefore remains an area to monitor.

FAQ

• What types of electric mobility requirements may apply separately in the MENA region?
  Depending on the country, separate requirements may apply to the vehicle, traction battery, charger, charging station and autonomous driving systems. Approval of one part of the electric mobility system does not necessarily cover the others.
• What federal requirements apply to electric cars and EV charging equipment in the UAE?
  At federal level, the UAE has separate requirements for electric cars under Cabinet Resolution No. 50 of 2024 and for electric vehicle supply equipment under Cabinet Resolution No. 175 of 2025. Additional requirements may also apply at Emirate level when charging equipment is installed and operated.
• Have Israel’s new SI 61851 requirements already been adopted?
  No. The drafts for SI 61851 Part 1, Part 3.1 and Part 3.2 remain in draft form and have not yet been formally adopted. Comments on the three drafts closed on 26 June 2026.
• When do Turkey’s Euro 7 battery durability requirements begin to apply?
  New M1 and N1 vehicle types must comply from 28 November 2026, while existing type-approved M1 and N1 vehicles must comply from 28 November 2027. For heavier vehicles, the requirements apply from 28 May 2028 and 28 May 2029, depending on whether the vehicle is a new type or already type approved.
• How does Bahrain distinguish between EVs, batteries and chargers for import conformity?
  Imported EVs require a GSO conformity certificate for each type, while EV batteries and chargers require a manufacturer’s declaration of conformity.

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