After several years of rapid expansion, electric vehicle sales growth faces several challenges, but the overall EV sector remains promising, particularly in the Middle East, a report found.
“The sector currently faces numerous headwinds, including high electricity costs, inflation and reduced subsidies as governments shift their funding focus from vehicles to charging facilities,” said the introduction of the 2024 EV Charging Index report from global consultancy Roland Berger.
In particular, 2023 saw an overall EV sales slowdown, the report said. “Nevertheless, it should only be a matter of time before EV growth rates recover,” it added, also noting that sales in Middle East and South-East Asia markets were “showing rapid growth".
The charging index and study, according to Roland Berger, was based on industry interviews, primary research and a survey of 16,000 participants in 2024. The report, initially released in July, noted that one of the main obstacles to widespread EV adoption has been the range anxiety in the minds of many consumers, prompted by a sometimes patchy charging infrastructure.
“It’s a bit of a chicken or the egg situation,” said Arvind CJ, a partner at Roland Berger’s Dubai office during an interview with The National’s Business Extra podcast. “Consumers always say, ‘OK, I need to see chargers before I buy a vehicle.’”
The Americas and China saw a slight decline in charging sufficiency infrastructure, but the Middle East, Europe and other parts of Asia saw significant improvements, the report found.
“Saudi Arabia led the way, improving its ratio from 10.4 to 1.0, while the UAE jumped from 7.6 to 4.3,” the report stated, noting that lower numbers denoted better sufficiency.
“It’s a similar story for the ratio of vehicles to public chargers, with Europe and the Middle East the only regions to record an improvement.”
According to another recently released EV report from PwC, the UAE has about 2,000 public charge points throughout the country, with demand projected to reach 45,000 by 2035.
Back in May, a the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Etihad Water and Electricity announced a joint venture, UAEV, a charging network fully owned and operated by the government. That initiative will come to fruition in the form of new fast-charging stations throughout the country, though it remains to be seen if charging stations will keep up with potential EV sales growth, a challenge faced in many parts of the world.
Despite the challenge, the Roland Berger report noted overall consumer optimism when it comes to finding EV charging locations.
“More than 80 per cent of respondents think public charging has become easier in the last six months, and all markets are moving toward faster charging,” the introduction of the report said, highlighting the perception from consumers that could eventually translate into more first-time EV buyers.
Hasan Nergiz, managing director of Al Futtaim Electric Mobility Company, a vehicle distributor subsidiary of Al Futtaim Group, reflected on how the increasing prevalence of chargers throughout the UAE has helped to bolster EV sales, along with climate related climate targets.
“It mitigates the customer pain points,” he said. “The direction is very clear, the mobility sector is moving into electrification, because if you look at the bigger picture, with Cop28 and net-zero carbon targets, it will happen,” he added, noting the methodical adoption of electric vehicles coupled with various climate related government policies.
Also bolstering long-term interest in EVs, according to both Mr Nergiz and Mr CJ, is the increase parity in terms of the total cost of ownership.
In recent years, the total cost of ownership for EVs has come down significantly, although in some countries insurance rates and tariffs mean that initial upfront costs remain higher.
“You can really slash your fuel consumption costs,” Mr Nergiz said, noting that there are still savings for those who live in countries where petrol is more economical than the global average. “Petrol may be cheaper here [UAE] than the rest of the world, but don't forget that also means electricity is also cheaper.”
Those potential cost savings, are proving to gain appeal throughout the world as more EV options become available from different companies, yet those positive sentiments are also going toe-to-toe with government tariffs in some parts of the world, as countries jockey for a competitive advantage.
Back in May, the US announced plans to raise tariffs on Chinese EVs, and just a few months later, the EU began executing tariffs on China for EV imports as well. Most recently, Canada moved a step further by announcing plans to impose 100 per cent tariffs on China-made EVs.
“It will impact a bit of the competitiveness in Europe and the US,” said Mr CJ, who cautioned that Chinese brands might also have manufacturing facilities outside of China which will not be affected by the tariffs.
Ultimately, Mr CJ said that he believes the EV tariffs won't have much staying power. “In the longer-run I think the tariffs will be taken away and there will be a proper competitive market around the world,” he added.
Our House, Louise Candlish,
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
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Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
At a glance
- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years
- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills
- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis
- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector
- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes
- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
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Fighting with My Family
Director: Stephen Merchant
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Florence Pugh, Thomas Whilley, Tori Ellen Ross, Jack Lowden, Olivia Bernstone, Elroy Powell
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- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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5pm: Sweihan – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Shamakh, Fernando Jara (jockey), Jean-Claude Picout (trainer)
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Winner: Daad, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
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Winner: Gold Silver, Sandro Paiva, Ibrahim Aseel
7pm: Masdar City – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Khalifa City – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Ranchero, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
