The adoption of electric vehicles is expanding in the UAE and could account for up to 25 per cent of all new passenger cars and light commercial vehicle sales by 2035 amid the country's decarbonisation efforts, a report has found.
EVs will have a market share of more than 15 per cent of all sales in the UAE by 2030, and could reach about 110,500 vehicles five years later, PwC's recently released Mobility Outlook report found.
Currently, EVs – also known as battery electric vehicles – represent 3 per cent of all vehicles sold in the UAE, the report said, with internal combustion engine vehicles dominating the market.
The growth projections are contingent on several factors such as an increased variety in EV model offerings, charging infrastructure investments and the total cost of EV ownership continuing to decline, according to the report.
Battery electric vehicles currently make up 7 per cent of the cars offered by UAE dealers, compared with 26 per cent in Europe.
“While all these car options are available in the world, they’re not necessarily available here [in the UAE],” said Heiko Seitz, PwC's global and Middle East e-mobility leader.
“If you want to make e-mobility work in the Middle East, you also have to provide all the different car models to the users they want to buy."
Mr Seitz expects to see more EV models, particularly from Chinese companies, available in the UAE and throughout the Middle East in the years ahead.
Despite the need for greater EV options, Mr Seitz said that both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have the benefit of being “wave II” countries for electric vehicle adoption, following “wave I" countries, such as the US, China and those in Europe.
“The UAE and Saudi Arabia are in a good position of being able to identify what worked and what didn't work compared to those other countries,” he said.
“While they're 10 years behind, you're going to see this region reach EV maturity much faster compared to other regions because you can skip the learning curve."
As a result, the EV ecosystem in the Middle East will evolve more rapidly, be more profitable and stay customer-centric.
PwC's report acknowledged the UAE for identifying EVs and e-mobility as a priority policy area.
“Under the Energy Strategy 2050, the country is pursuing a combination of renewable and nuclear energy sources to achieve carbon neutrality by the middle of this century,” the report said. “The adoption of electric vehicles is a critical element in this transition to a low carbon economy.”
When the UAE hosted the Cop28 climate conference in 2023, the UAE announced revised goals which aim to have 50 per cent of cars on the country's roads being EVs to help reduce carbon emissions.
Need for charging stations
According to the report, one of the main obstacles to the widespread adoption of EVs in the UAE, and globally, continues to be concern about charging stations.
Despite rapid advancements in EV battery technology, customers still have concerns about being able to find charging points for their vehicles on lengthy journeys. This has been dubbed “range anxiety” by automotive analysts.
“The gap between the current roll-out speed of public charging infrastructure and demand is set to grow,” the report said.
There are approximately 2,000 public charge points deployed throughout the UAE currently, according to PwC.
“Demand is forecast to reach 45,000 charge points by 2035 if the UAE's National Electric Vehicles Policy target for the share of EVs on the road is to be met,” the report said.
“However, at the current rate of rollout there will only be 10,000 charge points in the UAE by 2035.”
Expansion of public charging infrastructure should be prioritised in less populated and rural areas to help address concerns, PwC said.
To address the growing demand for charging points, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Etihad Water and Electricity recently announced a joint venture called UAEV, a charging network fully owned and operated by the government.
Driving down costs
Although there is increased parity in terms of the total cost of ownership for EVs when compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, the initial upfront cost and insurance rates for electric vehicles remain high.
For commercial buyers of EVs in the UAE, however, PwC said there's actually a cost advantage.
“Vehicles are typically discounted, particularly for fleet customers who are regarded as pivotal clients and enjoy even greater discounts,” the report said.
Eventually, with more EV choices available in the UAE and the operating costs becoming cheaper compared to ICE vehicles, Mr Heiko said making the switch to EVs will be more appealing.
“We expect more and more models … And the total cost of ownership is probably going to reduce significantly,” he said.
Environmental impact
EVs have a lower carbon footprint when compared to ICE vehicles, but even with increased adoption, it might not be enough to significantly reduce overall carbon emissions.
“To achieve significant emissions cuts, the UAE will need to increase the share of green energy sources including renewables and nuclear power,” the report said.
In terms of nuclear energy, as of March, the fourth and final unit of the country's Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant was connected to the UAE power grid, bolstering the UAE's clean energy capacity.
The UAE is also adding solar and wind energy capacity as part of its transition efforts. As of 2023, the country ranked second in the world for per capita solar energy consumption, according to the Statistical Review of World Energy.
“There’s a huge difference if I fuel my EV with power made from grey energy [fossil fuels], compared to green energy,” said Mr Heiko.
“So, if I really want to achieve the maximum effect on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we can do that significantly if we have a green EV fuelled by green energy.”
Energy sources powering EVs and the rest of the power grid are often overlooked in the energy transition discussion, Mr Heiko said. “It's one thing to electrify e-mobility, it's another thing to decarbonise.”
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')
Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The%20specs
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United - 3.30pm
Burnley v West Ham United - 6pm
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 6pm
Manchester City v Stoke City - 6pm
Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - 6pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth - 6pm
Watford v Arsenal - 8.30pm
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - 4.30pm
Southampton v Newcastle United - 7pm
Monday
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - 11pm
Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
MORE ON IRAN'S PROXY WARS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
