Muscat – Mays Motors has achieved a historic milestone with the launch of Oman’s first electric vehicle (EV), an SUV named Mays Alive. The delivery of the first batch of these electric SUVs has begun, marking a significant step forward for the country’s automotive sector.

“Our first batch of Mays Alive e-SUVs has been delivered to customers this month,” said Haider bin Adnan al Zaabi, co-founder of Mays Motors, in an exclusive interview with Muscat Daily. “We are proud to have reached this achievement. The journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and achieving this with limited resources feels like a miracle.”

To encourage the adoption of electric mobility, Mays Motors has reduced the price of the vehicle to RO11,000 for companies and RO12,000 for individuals. Ten units from the initial batch have already been delivered.

Explaining the name, Zaabi shared that ‘Mays’ was inspired by Maysore, a horse owned by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. He added that the Mays Alive boasts a driving range of 610km and a battery that can be charged at home. The SUV also features a large dashboard with multiple displays and advanced controls.

The batteries are sourced from China Aviation Lithium Battery (CALB), while the motor is provided by Germany’s Bosch. Zaabi emphasised the car’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the driving experience. “The AI acts like a real companion inside the car, engaging in conversations, recognising the driver’s outfit and facial expressions, and offering interactive responses. This makes driving safer and more enjoyable.”

This SUV has a carbon fibre body, which Zaabi described as “loaded with technology comparable to international brands”.

He highlighted Mays Motors’ focus on integrating locally available parts to reduce manufacturing costs and accelerate market entry. Zaabi acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the company, which were overcome with investments of US$1.5mn from local investors.

“Our partner in Shanghai also played a crucial role in helping us enter the market professionally,” he said. Mays Motors also enlisted ten Omani engineers and technicians to contribute to the manufacturing process. Zaabi revealed that the specifications and design of Mays Alive were finalised after visits to car manufacturing hubs in Italy, Germany, China, the USA, and India.

Looking ahead, the company plans to showcase the Mays Alive at an exhibition hosted by the Oman Automobile Association on February 24. The event will give the public an opportunity to test-drive the vehicle and explore its features. “We believe electric vehicles represent a promising market in Oman. Our goal is to deliver between 300 and 500 electric vehicles by the end of this year,” Zaabi said.