Atlas E-Mobility aims to launch first African-designed BEV

LONDON: Atlas E-Mobility Group, a new global Anglo-Moroccan technology company, plans to launch the first African-designed and engineered BEV (battery electric vehicle).

Headquartered in London, UK, with manufacturing and development facilities planned for Morocco, Atlas E-Mobility was co-founded by Mohammed Yehya El Bakkali, the company CEO, and Mohammed Hicham Senhaji Hannoun, the company’s executive chairman and CTO, with substantial private funding.

The group aims to create an affordable, all-electric vehicle inspired by Moroccan design for customers in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) markets initially, with production scheduled for 2026.

"Atlas E-Mobility does not just wish to simply produce EVs – we are determined to go further and be part of a solution that delivers sustainable economic and environmental benefits to Africa and beyond. Together with our global partners, we will deliver a strategic road map to create a wide arc of advanced range-enhancing technologies, battery, and charging infrastructure to render zero-emission mobility a viable proposition for all," said Mohammed Hicham.

Mohammed Yehya said: “We feel strongly that Africa is being ignored by companies in the EV transition. However, no one should underestimate the continent’s determination to advance nor doubt its ability to produce world-leading zero-carbon-free technological solutions. In the field of transportation, these will prove pivotal to helping limit the rise in global temperatures to less than two degrees Celsius."

Morocco leads the African automotive industry sector and is one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive hubs, producing a similar number of cars to Italy each year.

In 2022, the country built 464,864 vehicles, representing an increase of 681% since 2011.

Morocco has the capacity to produce 700,000 units per year and an ambition to reach 1.5 million vehicles per annum.

From global OEMs, including Renault Group and Stellantis, to SMEs and disruptive technology start-ups, more than 250 companies operate within the Moroccan automotive ecosystem participating in vehicle and component manufacturing and R&D, engineering, and testing.