The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion has mandated that all fuel stations must install electric vehicle (EV) charging points within the next six months.

H.E. Qais bin Mohammed bin Moosa al Yousef, the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, has issued Ministerial Decision No. 615/2023, which amends certain provisions of the regulations related to the 'Conditions and Controls for Issuing Licences for Establishing and Operating Fuel Filling Stations'.

According to this decision, proprietors of commercial fuel stations are required to provide an electric charging point for vehicles, complying with the requirements and regulations set by the Authority for Public Services Regulation.

Furthermore, the decision specifies that marketing companies must ensure the provision of essential public amenities at all fuel filling stations, including restrooms and other services appropriate to the station's location, and they are also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of these facilities.

The decision outlines penalties for violations of these regulations, starting with a written warning for the first offense, and in case of repeated violations, an administrative fine of RO1,000.

This decision was issued on November 2 and will become effective 180 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

In a statement made last week, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology reported that there are currently 100 EV charging stations throughout the Sultanate and that they are actively working to increase this number to 300 within the next two years.