Oman permits electric vehicle access to Jabal Akhdar from 13 October

Oman announced electric vehicle access to Jabal Akhdar (Al Jabal Al Akhdar) on 13 October 2026, changing the rule for visitors travelling from Nizwa towards the mountain. The update allows electric vehicles to continue beyond the Birkat Al Mouz checkpoint without being four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Electric vehicle access changes at Jabal Akhdar

The change was announced by Shabib al Maamari, Managing Director of Visit Oman, in an interview published by the Oman Observer on 13 October 2026. Electric vehicles are now legally permitted to travel up the mountain, while visitors without their own electric vehicle may rent one for the journey.

Before 13 October 2026, access through the Birkat Al Mouz checkpoint was restricted to 4WD vehicles under safety rules for the steep, winding mountain road. The 13 October access announcement therefore changes a practical part of the approach for travellers using an eligible electric vehicle.

Jabal Akhdar links new access to its high plateau

The mountain is part of the Al Hajar range in Oman’s Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate. It rises to 2,980 m (9,777 ft) and includes the Saiq Plateau at 2,000 m (6,562 ft) above sea level, according to the national tourism platform’s destination information.

The new rule relates directly to the mountain road rather than to a single hotel or attraction. Visitors approaching from Nizwa will still encounter the checkpoint and the road’s steep, winding sections, but an authorised electric vehicle is no longer excluded solely because it lacks four-wheel drive. The national tourism description places the destination within the Al Hajar Mountains and identifies the Saiq Plateau.

Checkpoint approval remains part of the mountain journey

Access guidance for Oman by UTMB states that electric vehicles may use the mountain road without being 4WD, subject to checkpoint approval and safety requirements. It also advises drivers of rental vehicles to confirm that their agreement permits mountain driving and that the vehicle is authorised for Jabal Akhdar.

The access change comes as the destination prepares for a higher tourism profile after its selection as GCC Tourism Capital for 2027. The Oman Observer also reported that proposals for a regional airport, a passenger terminal and an alternative road from South Al Batinah are being explored; these are plans, not confirmed facilities for the current visit.

Visiting Jabal Akhdar: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The access change was announced on 13 October 2026 and applies to electric vehicles travelling towards Jabal Akhdar through the Birkat Al Mouz checkpoint.
• Electric vehicles may proceed without being 4WD, but checkpoint approval and compliance with safety requirements remain part of the ascent.
• The destination is in Oman’s Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, with Nizwa serving as the nearby reference city and Birkat Al Mouz marking the approach checkpoint.
• The mountain road is steep and winding, while the Saiq Plateau stands at 2,000 m (6,562 ft) above sea level.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Jabal Akhdar

When was electric vehicle access announced for Jabal Akhdar?

The change was announced on 13 October 2026. It permits electric vehicles to travel up the mountain without being four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Where is Jabal Akhdar and how do you get there?

Jabal Akhdar is in Oman’s Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, near Nizwa. The approach passes through the Birkat Al Mouz checkpoint, where vehicle approval remains relevant.

What is Jabal Akhdar?

Jabal Akhdar is a mountain destination in the Al Hajar range. Its Saiq Plateau lies at 2,000 m (6,562 ft) above sea level.