What Sparked the Shift? The Mind Behind Electrified Talks EVs and the Road Ahead
I’ve always believed that real innovation comes from passion. But not just any passion—one that you’re willing to nurture, invest in, and fight for. Without that, it’s easy to lose momentum when things get tough—and trust me, when you’re building something new in Egypt, they do get tough.
My story didn’t begin in electric vehicles. It started the traditional way: a fresh engineering graduate working in the telecom sector, installing and operating transmission stations. It was a solid, respectable job. But deep inside, I felt stuck. There was no spark—just routine. Then I pivoted to sales engineering in a major cable company, and for the first time, I discovered something I genuinely loved: talking to people, explaining tech in simple terms, and solving problems through connection. Sales, I realized, wasn’t just about closing deals. It was the art of earning trust and offering real value.
That discovery led me to a Portuguese company launching operations in Egypt, working on telemetry and remote monitoring systems—mainly in the oil sector. It was highly technical and aligned with my background, but then they made a move that changed everything: they entered the solar energy space. I still remember the moment I learned how solar panels could generate electricity from sunlight, store it in batteries, and power homes or industries on demand. It felt like magic.
And it also felt… right.
Here we were, in one of the sunniest countries on Earth, and yet solar energy was barely being used. That moment planted a seed. I started realizing that I wasn’t just passionate about clean energy—it was something I deeply believed in. And for the first time, I could see how I could align my work with impact.
When the company shifted to Dubai, I chose to stay. My colleagues and I started our own solar venture in Egypt, working across agriculture, oil sites, and residential installations. At the peak of Egypt’s electricity crisis, I filmed a short video on how to power your house with a basic solar system instead of a diesel generator. I uploaded it… went to bed… and woke up to it going viral.
From that moment, people started to listen. I was later asked to advise Egypt’s Minister of Transportation on renewable energy integration.
But something else was coming.
In 2017, I saw an electric vehicle for the first time in Egypt—and it felt like seeing the future. A car that was fast, silent, efficient… and surprisingly connected to everything I’d learned in solar. Batteries. Energy efficiency. Smart control. I fell in love instantly.
That’s when I started building a Facebook group called EV Egypt Club. I used my phone to shoot short educational videos explaining EV basics—how they work, what matters when choosing one, and why they make sense in Egypt. At first, I was thrilled when we hit 100 members. Then 1,000. Then tens of thousands.
Today? Over 170,000 people have joined. But I also realized something deeper: information wasn’t enough. People needed a trusted platform to help them transition to EVs. A place with verified listings, accurate specs, expert support, and practical services like financing, charging, and insurance.
That’s how Electrified was born. We built it as a one-stop platform for everything EV in Egypt—whether you’re buying a car, looking for a home charger, comparing models, or just curious. But more importantly, we designed Electrified as a community-first company. Every product, every video, every conversation—we designed it with people in mind.
Here’s where something clicked: Passion alone didn’t build this.
What did? Career capital.
Over the years, I unknowingly built a mix of rare and valuable skills:
Deep technical knowledge in energy
Sales and communication expertise
A unique local perspective on Egypt’s infrastructure
And a trusted voice in a niche market
This blend gave me leverage. It attracted investors. It built trust with users. It helped us partner with leading players like NATCO, who believed in our mission and chose to invest in Electrified’s future. We’re now Egypt’s first fully integrated EV platform—and growing. So, what’s the lesson?
Passion matters—but only when it’s backed by skills the world needs.
This is what thinkers like Cal Newport call career capital: rare, practical expertise that makes you valuable in the real world. And that capital doesn’t always start from passion—it can grow from opportunity, observation, and commitment.
My advice? Don’t just chase what you love. Build something you can become exceptional at. Mastery creates impact. Passion follows.
As I always say: “Have a belief to achieve.”
“Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.”
Thanks for reading. And welcome to the ride — Ayman Mohamed Co-Founder, electrified.