Dubai aims to have 42,000 EVs on their roads by 2030. Reports indicate that the initiative is already underway, with the number of EV owners going from just 14 back in 2015 to a whopping 11,000 in 2023. The government and various stakeholders are working together to hit this target.
But it isn’t really about accelerating the adoption of EVs as much as guiding existing ICE (internal combustion engine) cars to the greener alternative. There will have to be massive changes to the energy infrastructure, government policies governing fuel and vehicle regulations, offering subsidized financing for the purchase of electric vehicles and incorporating charging infrastructure into the city seamlessly.
However, the biggest roadblock that EVs face while competing with ICE vehicles is their price tag, along with how expensive the upgrades will be for any city. But this goes for any new technology – the pros definitely outweigh the cons in the long run.
Presently, Tesla claims around 52% of Dubai’s EV market share, with Porsche and MG owning 19% and 10%, respectively. The remaining slice belongs to other contenders. The region is on a supply-driven trajectory.
In Dubai, the four-wheeler market rules the road due to factors like speed, safety, distance, and the sizzling heat. Adapting ICE bikes to EVs here is about 50-60% pricier. The quest is on for a product that can carry a load, cover long distances on a single charge, and endure Dubai’s harsh conditions.
Dubai’s government has already made a gearshift by transitioning its taxi fleet to hybrids. The ambitious plan is to ultimately go completely electric with the help of fast charging. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority along with Dubai Electricity and Water authority (DEWA) are at the forefront of the city’s energy transition, hoping to increase the number of public charging stations by 170% in just three years. They’re aiming to have 1000 charging points by 2025.
The transition significantly accelerated in 2015 when DEWA launched its EV Green Charger Initiative to encourage EV sales. Demand for EVs in the UAE is predicted to grow at a compound annual rate of 30% until 2028 while the worldwide sales of EVs is expected to surge by 35% in 2023.
Also Read: Here’s how China built the World’s Largest EV Charging Network
Dubai has the financial capability to champion the start of a worldwide transition to clean energy. As one of the first cities to go fully electric, Dubai will definitely have a head start in a world that’s slowly realizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.
