An electric vehicle charging tariff coming into force in the UAE next year has been tipped to accelerate growth in the market and support ambitious green transport goals in the years to come.
In a report published earlier this year, global consultancy company PwC highlighted that public charging infrastructure was the most significant bottleneck for rapid EV adoption in the UAE, with demand outpacing charging point availability.
Recent announcements from the government, however, suggest that infrastructure roll-out may be shifting up a gear – and leading the charge for electric car uptake.
On Thursday, government-owned electric vehicle charging network UAEV announced that it had set tariffs for the faster Direct Current (DC) chargers at Dh1.2 per kilowatt-hour, and for Alternating Current (AC) chargers at Dh0.7 per kilowatt-hour.
Before this, the EV charging services had remained free of charge since the tariffs were first announced last May.
To support EV drivers in locating the nearest charging station and to facilitate smooth payment, UAEV has also introduced a mobile application.
Sharif Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs in the Ministry of Energy, and Infrastructure, and chairman of UAEV said the update marks a transformative step in the UAE’s journey towards sustainable transportation.
“The implementation of standardised charging tariffs and the launch of innovative solutions like the UAEV app and 24/7 support reflect our continuing commitment to enhancing the EV driver experience."
By 2030, UAEV’s network will include 1,000 chargers located across urban hubs, highways and transit points within the UAE. Key locations will span across all emirates, with the aim of ensuring accessibility for both intercity and intracity EV users.
Earlier this month, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) announced that it now provides a network of more than 740 EV Green Charger points across Dubai. According to Dewa, a total of 16,828 customers had benefitted from the initiative’s services from 2014 until the end of September 2024.
Heiko Seitz a Partner and the Global eMobility Leader at PwC, told The National that the creation of a charging ecosystem in the UAE provides greater confidence in the market and will result in an increase in the number of fully battery electric cars.
Karim Maksoud, managing director of Al Habtoor Motors, agrees. He told The National that the UAE’s EV infrastructure is steadily improving, with more charging stations nationwide and growing support for EV-friendly policies. "However, for long-term success, there is a need for more widespread charging networks, fast-charging stations, and training for technicians to support EV maintenance," said Mr Maksoud.
It is estimated that about 10 per cent of vehicles on the road in the UAE are electric. Following the implementation of further charging infrastructure, PWC has forecast that sales of EVs will increase to 15 per cent by 2030, and by 2035, 25 per cent of new car sales will be electric.
The current UAE government target is to increase the share of EVs to 50 per cent of total vehicles on the roads by 2050.
"Only Saudi will have higher numbers, and that is driven by two factors. The first is regulation, especially in Riyadh, where royal decree demands that 30 per cent of new cars sold in Riyadh are to be battery electric by 2030, and that leads to our expectations that nationwide, in Saudi by 2035, 65 per cent of new cars sold are going to be battery electric." said Mr Seitz.
Commercial players are ramping up EV offering in-line with this growth. For example, Dubai Taxi Company is targeting to have about 13 per cent of its taxi fleet electric by next year. The Dubai listed transport operator this week officially launched a collaboration with e-hailing service provider Bolt. In a statement, Dubai Taxi Company shared with The National that 30 per cent of the fleet on the Bolt platform is electric.
Why is infrastructure so important?
Combating range anxiety is a key issue when it comes to rolling out EV infrastructure. Range anxiety refers to a drivers fear that the vehicle may have insufficient power to make it to the destination.
Until there are sufficient EV charging hubs across the country, plug-in hybrids offer a bridge solution towards electrification.
PwC forecasts that, going forward, plug-in hybrids will make up 30 per cent of the EV mix in the UAE – the remaining 70 per cent will be battery electric vehicles. "We will see a much bigger plug-in hybrid play in Saudi compared to the smaller countries like UAE, like Qatar, and Kuwait. In Oman we probably see more plug-in hybrids as well."
Could subsidies be the answer?
In Singapore, a nation notorious for having the most expensive cars on the planet due to a tax imposed for the right to own a car, heavy subsidies have been implemented to incentivise electric vehicle ownership. For example, those looking to purchase an EV in the city state in 2025 could receive up to S$40,000 (US$29,400) in rebates as part of a government initiative to drive greater EV adoption.
Similarly, in the past, the UK had introduced grants for low-emission vehicles to drive adoption of more sustainable alternatives. These grants were included by sellers as a discount in the purchase price.
However, in the UAE the cost of an EV and standard combustion engine vehicle are relatively comparable. "When you're a fleet operator, it's already 7 per cent cheaper to own and run an EV in your fleet than an internal combustion engine. There is no need to subsidise the car any more." said Mr Seitz.
In fact, with new brands coming into the market in the UAE and Middle East, PwC expects a price war between firms from China which currently dominate the mass EV market.
Another alternative to incentivise EV take-up, Mr Seitz posits, would be to use more of a stick rather than a carrot approach, and introduce a tax of high emitting vehicles.
What's available on the market?
According to PwC, more than 90 per cent of all models offered by dealers in the UAE are internal combustion engine vehicles. With new, EV volume entrants mainly from brands from China.
"There's hardly any month where I don't see a new Chinese brand being advertised or driving on UAE street streets." said Mr Seitz. "China will continue to lead the pace, and I don't see that changing in the future. Together with Tesla as a volume brand as well, we see that reflected here in the UAE."
Karim Maksoud, managing director of Al Habtoor Motors told The National that the company plans to expand its EV portfolio in the coming year, "introducing additional models to cater to the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions in the UAE."
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The chef's advice
Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.
“They feel like they can’t buy one cucumber,” he says. “But I can walk into a shop – I feed two people at home – and I’ll walk into a shop and I buy one cucumber, I’ll buy one onion.”
Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.
The chef also advises singletons not get too hung up on “organic”, particularly high-priced varieties that have been flown in from far-flung locales. Local produce is often grown sustainably, and far cheaper, he says.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qais Aboud
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Almahroosa, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Sumoud, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Adventurous, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
57%20Seconds
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
MATCH INFO
Everton 2 (Tosun 9', Doucoure 93')
Rotherham United 1 (Olosunde 56')
Man of the Match Olosunde (Rotherham)
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
