When Dubai Police unveiled their latest recruit on Sunday – a brand-new Tesla Cybertruck – not only did it catch the attention of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, it highlighted the force’s reputation for identifying and adopting eye-catching driving technology. But although the Cybertruck currently remains something of a novelty – in May, The National reported how renting one in Dubai for a day would cost Dh2,800 ($762) – more and more people in the UAE are choosing electric vehicles over traditional internal combustion engines.
According to figures in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ recently released Mobility Outlook report, EVs will have a market share of more than 15 per cent of all sales in the UAE by the end of the decade, and could reach 110,500 vehicles five years later. Although this would be significant growth on the current situation – battery electric vehicles represent 3 per cent of all vehicles sold in the Emirates – it still means that most cars on the road would be petrol or diesel-powered. If, as their proponents argue, EVs are becoming more affordable, reliable and value for money, why are we still seemingly so far from most cars being battery-powered?
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 the infrastructure needed to support them – specifically, charging stations. While drivers here and in other developed countries are never far from a petrol station, “range anxiety” – the fear of running out of charge while on a journey – remains a deterrent for those who would otherwise be attracted by EVs’ green credentials. Earlier this month, The National interviewed US drivers who wanted to do the classic coast-to-coast journey in an EV; faced with the limited options to “fill up”, many were reluctant to undertake such a long road trip.
Here, the UAE – a country familiar with the necessity of investing in infrastructure – is playing a long game. As far back as 2015, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority used initiatives such as its EV Green Charger scheme to create the infrastructure needed for EV charging stations. Since then, hundreds of charging stations have been installed in different parts of the emirate, joining the approximately 2,000 public charge points across the country. This supports the kind of short journeys that most EV drivers make. In February, a survey of nearly 3,000 customers by British EV leasing company Zenith found that half of EV drivers mainly used their vehicles for trips spanning fewer than 50km, while only 18 per cent used them for journeys of 96km or more.
In addition to a charging network recently announced by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Etihad Water and Electricity, other initiatives to persuade consumers to make the switch to electric are in place. EV owners in Dubai can apply for a free Salik tag and they have access to reserved parking spots across the city. Some banks offer competitive loans for purchasing environmentally friendly vehicles. In contrast, some other countries have been rethinking their earlier incentives: last year, Germany abruptly ended EV subsidies of up to €4,500 ($4,823) and in February this year France halted a programme to subsidise lower-income earners who wanted to lease an EV.
Far from seeking the Cybertruck experience, most drivers want a reliable, affordable vehicle that is better for the planet. Many people cannot afford two cars – petrol for distance, EV for city drives – so the decision to switch to an EV must be made an easier one. As improving charging infrastructure meets better battery technology, plus a greater choice of models from manufacturers in China and other emerging economies, more consumers will be persuaded to make the switch. All stakeholders have a role in creating the needed confidence and help customers feel that their choice to pay for an electric vehicle is the right one.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Brief scores
Barcelona 2
Pique 36', Alena 87'
Villarreal 0
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
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Squad
Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The%20specs
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Elvis
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Abu Dhabi race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
6pm: Liwa Oasis (PA) Group 2 | Dh300,000 | 1,400m
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 (PA) Group 3 | Dh300,000 | 2,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) | Dh80,000 | 2,200m
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Labour dispute
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.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
