CATL Expands Global Service Network with Historic Middle East Hub Launch in Riyadh

Building Infrastructure for the Energy Transition

The energy transformation sweeping across the Middle East has reached a critical milestone. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) has opened what marks the region’s most comprehensive new energy aftermarket facility, establishing a strategic presence in Riyadh at a pivotal time in the region’s shift toward sustainable mobility. This move underscores how global leaders are repositioning to capture emerging markets where electrification policies are accelerating faster than ever before.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative creates an unprecedented demand for specialized energy and mobility solutions. The nation has committed to electrifying 30% of Riyadh’s vehicle fleet by the decade’s end, while simultaneously targeting a 50% reduction in the capital’s emissions. Beyond passenger vehicles, regulatory frameworks now encourage electric forklifts in commercial operations and green energy deployment on agricultural lands. Yet this ambitious transition faces real obstacles—entrenched oil dependency, surging electricity consumption, harsh climate conditions, and fragmented service infrastructure remain formidable challenges.

A Purpose-Built Solution Arrives at the Right Moment

CATL’s NING SERVICE Experience Center addresses these structural gaps with a comprehensive 7,000+ square meter facility. The installation combines multiple operational zones: exhibition displays, diagnostic and repair areas, battery refurbishment stations, professional training classrooms, and customer service lounges. Rather than functioning as a simple repair shop, the center operates as a complete ecosystem hub, demonstrating CATL’s integrated approach to battery technology, grid storage, and smart electrification systems.

The facility’s service portfolio spans an impressive scope. Teams handle battery diagnostics, maintenance protocols, component reworking, technical training, recycling operations, and logistics management across seven distinct product categories—covering everything from personal vehicles to heavy commercial fleets and utility-scale storage systems. This range positions Riyadh as a regional knowledge center for the entire new energy supply chain.

Talent Development: The Competitive Edge

Human capital remains central to CATL’s regional strategy. The Riyadh hub incorporates dedicated training infrastructure designed to cultivate local expertise in aftermarket technical services. This aligns with CATL’s broader human development mission: globally, NING SERVICE operates 10 training centers occupying 2,300 square meters combined and has certified over 9,700 aftermarket professionals through partnerships with vocational training organizations across multiple continents.

Anchoring a Larger Ecosystem Play

The Riyadh location represents more than an isolated investment. CATL is actively negotiating partnerships with prominent regional players: fuel network operators (to install green electricity at existing petrol stations), logistics companies (to transition truck fleets to electric powertrains), and renewable energy firms (to integrate solar generation with battery storage). These collaborations amplify the center’s impact beyond its physical footprint and drive broader ecosystem adoption.

Context Within CATL’s Global Architecture

The Middle East facility extends an already formidable global network. CATL currently operates over 1,200 professional service stations distributed across 76 countries, supported by 73 component warehouses worldwide. The company maintains the industry’s largest spare-parts inventory—entirely genuine components—distributed across facilities totaling 370,000+ square meters. To date, NING SERVICE has provided aftermarket support to more than six million electric vehicles across passenger, commercial, and storage segments.

This expansion into Riyadh during this pivotal time reflects how CATL is positioning itself not merely as a battery manufacturer, but as the backbone infrastructure provider for the global energy transition.

Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of affiliated organizations.