Accelerating EV Adoption Through Advancements in eMobility Infrastructure

The Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX) 2023 report ranked the United Arab Emirates as the 7th most electric mobility-ready country in the world. Qatar, on the other hand, ranked 9th globally.
 

The world is seeing a growing demand for sustainable alternatives for many things, and this includes mobility. 

While much of this development is driven by demand in key regions such as the US, China, and Europe, growing markets like those in the Middle East are also taking part in the story. The Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX) 2023 report ranked the United Arab Emirates as the 7th most electric mobility-ready country in the world. Qatar, on the other hand, ranked 9th globally.

In and around these countries, the increase in EV sales highlights the need for better infrastructure, especially publicly available ones.

The UAE’s infrastructure efforts

In the Middle East, the UAE has emerged as a frontrunner in the region’s transition to electric mobility. As pointed out by PwC in its eMobility Outlook 2024 report, this growth is supported by robust policies and government initiatives. 

Initially, the UAE targeted 30% of public sector vehicles and 10% of all vehicles to be electric by 2030, with incentives such as free registration, parking, and reduced charging fees. In 2023, this goal was revised to 50% of all vehicles by 2050, alongside a push to expand renewable power generation.

Major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have also launched strategies, including those aimed at supporting the installation of charging stations.

In Dubai, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched the EV Green Charger initiative in support of the National Electric Vehicles Policy and the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030. It eyes to increase public green charging stations by 170% from 2023’s 370 to 1,000 by 2025. Earlier in May, DEWA teamed up with Parkin, Dubai’s leading supplier of paid public parking facilities, in a bid to expand EV green charger stations in the city.

In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) have launched a joint venture, E2GO, to establish electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the UAE capital. Their goal is to install 70,000 EV charging points by 2030.

Qatar makes great strides

Qatar is also making substantial developments on the EV front, especially when it comes to greening its public transport. Under Qatar National Vision 2030, the nation aimed to make 25% of its public transit buses electric by 2022 and successfully met this goal. The Ministry of Transport now plans to have 35% of its fleet and all public transport buses electric by 2030.

To support better transition to electric cars, the country also focuses on increasing charging infrastructure. 

In late 2022, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and fuel retailer Woqod signed an agreement to supply, install, and operate 37 DC fast-charging units for EVs at Woqod stations. Compared to AC EV charging stations, which are installed at homes and can charge a vehicle for five to seven hours, their DC EV counterparts can charge a vehicle for 10 to 30 minutes.

According to a January report, the number of fast EV charging stations in Qatar has hit around 200. Kahramaa, through the National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed), also unveiled a dedicated mobile app to help motorists find nearby EV charging stations.

Still a long road ahead

In Saudi Arabia, the eMobility sector sees a rapid expansion in its charging infrastructure as part of its Vision 2030 initiative — thanks to significant investments from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and efforts by key players like Lucid Motors, Ceer (Saudi’s first EV manufacturer), and EVIQ (the country's first nationwide EV charging company).

In January, EVIQ partnered with tech leader ABB to install the first ABB Terra 360 chargers for public use in the country. The ABB Terra 360 is a versatile, high-performance EV charger designed for rapid deployment in various locations, including public spaces, commercial areas, and highways. Its modular design ensures scalability, allowing easy integration and expansion as demand grows. It can deliver up to 360 kW, charge an EV in as little as 15 minutes, and support multiple vehicles at once.

While progress has been made, there’s clearly a need to accelerate public charging infrastructure expansion. Countries in the Middle East and beyond can turn to newer technologies like AI to develop smart charging systems that can improve efficiency and reduce costs for operators and consumers alike.