in the presence of high-level formal diplomats
SASO signs a memorandum of understanding with 66 global automotive companies for the implementation of the Saudi energy efficiency standard for light vehicles
In a move considered by observers a new achievement for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of energy conservation. SASO signed on Sunday in the presence of high-level officials and diplomats memorandums of understanding with 66 light vehicles manufacturing global companies. By signing, these companies committed to the Saudi Standard for Fuel Economy (Saudi CAFE) for incoming light duty vehicles. This standard is the first of its kind to be issued in the Middle East and the Arab region. It is applied to used vehicles for the first time over the world.
For his part, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources for Petroleum Affairs and Chairman of the Subcommittee for the preparation of the Saudi program for energy efficiency, explained in a speech presented on that occasion that the application of all the programs in the road transport sector can save up to 300 thousand barrels per day of gasoline and diesel by 2030. His Highness commended that the Saudi standard for fuel economy for incoming light duty vehicles is designed to improve the rate of vehicle's fuel in the Kingdom by about 4% annually, moving it from its current level at around 12 kilometers per liter of fuel, to a level beyond (19) nineteen kilometers per liter of fuel, by the year 2025- God willing. He also pointed out that the standard preparation process resulted in the approval and commitment of (78) companies, representing more than (99.95%) of vehicle sales in the UK by applying this standard.
For his part, His Excellency the Governor of SASO Dr. Saad bin Othman Al- Kasabi - in his speech - emphasized that many countries in the world consider the issue of rationalizing energy consumption one of the most important priorities. Therefore, they offer various visions and theses to maximize the use of this basic resource, which many of the these economies and industries are based on.
He pointed that SASO adopted 91 Technical Regulation and 480 Saudi standards in the field of vehicles, which is compatible with the international practices and the national industry requirements and meets the local consumer expectations. More than 23 Technical Regulation and Saudi standard is associated with the initiatives of energy efficiency. He noted that SASO is currently completing its infrastructure of reference laboratories and technical solutions for the implementation of the supervisory role assigned to it within a number of initiatives. Moreover, he predicts that the air conditioners' efficiency laboratory will be running before the end of this year. He pointed out that they are establishing a laboratory for the efficiency of household appliances, another one for thermal insulation laboratories and tires' laboratory . Dr. Al-Kasabi continued by saying: This standard is the first standard applied nationally at the level of Gulf countries and the Arab world, and for the first time worldwide it is applied to used vehicles.
His Excellency the Governor of SASO, Dr. Saad bin Othman Kasabi signed memorandums of understanding in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, the Minister of Transport Eng. Jabara Bin Eid Al Suraiseri, the Minister of Economy and Planning, Dr. Mohammed bin Suleiman Al-Jasser, and the Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah.
The memorandums of understanding signing ceremony was also attended by his Excellency the President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center, Dr. Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, and His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Petroleum and head of the Saudi program for energy efficiency, in addition to a number of their excellences the members of the Administrative Committee of the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center and a number of ambassadors and representatives of signatory companies.