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Driving & Charging an Electric Vehicle in the UAE

The UAE is ranked among the top 10 countries in the world when it comes to the adoption of electric mobility. This is in line with the nation's green energy goals and electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular in the country.

The UAE's goal is to become a net-zero emission nation by 2050. EV users, as research shows, spend 60% less on fuel than the owners of vehicles with internal combustion engines. Although, the initial cost of owning an electric vehicle is at least 50%-80% higher than conventional vehicles

When it comes to charging your electric vehicle in the UAE, it's important to consider the availability of charging stations and ensure that you have appropriate car insurance coverage to protect your EV and its charging equipment.

Electric vehicles operate with an electric motor instead of a standard combustion engine. Electric cars are both a money-saving and environment-friendly choice, but what about charging them? Is it more complex than refueling a regular vehicle?

Quick Read Section

• Electric cars are more eco-friendly as they have zero emissions in general.
• Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining traction in the UAE due to their lower carbon footprint and greenhouse gases than combustion engine vehicles (petrol/diesel)
• Home EV chargers can be installed at home and the electricity charges will be added to your monthly DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) bill.
• The EV Green Charger Initiative by DEWA, has set up electric vehicle charging stations across UAE.
• The time it takes to fully charge an electric vehicle may vary depending on the battery capacity of the car model, as well as the charging station being used. Charging time can range from one hour to up to eight hours.
• There are three types of electric car charging stations available in UAE: Public Charger, Fast Charger, and Wall Box Charger.

Considering the rising popularity of electric cars, the government has taken steps to address charging issues. If you own an electric car or are thinking of getting one, this is a comprehensive guide to electric car charging in UAE.

How to charge your electric vehicle in UAE

• Charging your electric vehicle at home

Charging your vehicle is just as easy as using any other home appliance. EV home chargers can be set up with the electricity meter at home, and the electricity charges will be incorporated into your monthly DEWA ((Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) bill as per energy usage.

• Using DEWA GREEN CHARGERS

In an effort to motivate the public to switch from traditional automobiles to electric cars, DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) introduced the EV Green Charger Initiative which has set up electric vehicle charging stations all across Dubai. It aims to reduce carbon emissions in UAE to net zero by 2050.

Step 1- Register your EV with DEWA

To become a registered user of an electric vehicle in Dubai, you must register it with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Once your car is registered with RTA, DEWA will send you an email regarding the registration process for using their charging stations and the steps you need to take. To become an EV user with DEWA, simply follow the link provided in the message you received from them after registering your car with the RTA.

If you already have a Dewa account, just log in, otherwise create one. Then, go to ‘EV Account & Charging Card Management’ and complete the form with your car and TC number to finish the registration process. Pay AED 500 as a down payment, as well as an AED 20 delivery fee for receiving an EV Green Charger card. Upon payment, you will get an email with the receipt and the courier company will contact you to deliver the card within three business days. Through the DEWA website or the smart app, you can request a new EV Charging card, replace, or deactivate your card.

Remember that the EV Green Charger card must be registered using the same name as on your Emirates ID, Mulkiya, and driving license.

Step 2: Find the nearest charging station to you.

More than 300 charging stations are set up by DEWA across UAE for accessibility by EV owners. The locations of these charging stations are available on route navigation platforms such as Google Maps and Apple Maps, as well as the DEWA website.

• How do I find an electric vehicle charging station near me?

Visit the DEWA website for specific locations of EV green chargers near you. You can filter your search based on your location, the type of charger you want, and the payment mode.

• Types of Electric Car Charging Stations in UAE

In Dubai, DEWA has made three types of electric car charging stations available: the Public Charger, Fast Charger, and Wall Box Charger.

Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers can opt to use any of the four types of charging stations installed by DEWA. These green charging stations set up by DEWA are categorized based on the duration the charger will take to fully charge your vehicle, known as the kilowatt capacity and how much it will cost.

1.    Public Charger:

Public charging stations feature two Type 2 plugs, each with a 22 kW AC capacity. Depending on the battery capacity and model of your electric car, these chargers can top up your vehicle in as little as two to four hours.

2.    Wall Box Charger:

Wall Box is an AC charger with a single Type 2 Socket, providing up to 22 kW of power. Depending on the battery capacity and the kind of electric vehicle, you can recharge the battery fully in between 2 to 4 hours.

3.    Fast Charger:

Fast chargers are able to provide 80 percent battery power in a short time period, usually from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the battery capacity and vehicle type. They are located mainly at petrol stations. The charger is equipped with a Type 2 Socket, a 50 kW DC ChadeMO, and a Combo CCS Socket, all providing a total of 43 kW AC.

4.    Ultra-Fast charger:

The Ultra-Fast chargers are super-fast chargers with 150 kW DC capacity that can fully charge an electric vehicle within a time duration of just 15 minutes. There are only two Ultra-Fast chargers in UAE, located in ENOC stations at the Expo 2020 site and at the DEWA headquarters.

Step 3: Charge your vehicle.

Now that you have located the nearest charging station to you, all that is left to do is to charge your vehicle.

-You must charge your vehicle using the EV Green Charger card that you receive on registering your electric vehicle with DEWA.

-Scan your EV Green Charger Card at the charging station and select the port you would like to use. Every charging station has two ports- insert one end of the charging cable into the port you wish to use and the other end of the cable into your electric vehicle.

-The charging station will indicate a blue light and then a green light to show that the car is getting charged.

-The status of the charging process will be updated through your phone. After the charging process is completed, scan the EV Green Charger Card once again and click the Stop button on the charging station.

-Lastly, press the Exit button on the vehicle to remove the cable and return it to the charging port.

What does each of the colours on the charging station mean?

The charging stations display a blue, green, red, or yellow light which indicate the status of charging.

• Green light indicates the system is ‘READY’.
• Blue light indicates that the charging is ‘IN PROCESS’
• Red light and yellow light indicate ‘ERROR’.

How much it costs to charge an electric vehicle in UAE?

Refueling a diesel vehicle can be expensive compared to charging an electric car. The cost of charging your electric vehicle varies depending on the car's make and model, the battery capacity, and how you drive it. The extent of charges is usually updated on DEWA website. Currently the rates for charging your electric car are as follows:

• Individual (non-commercial), Business (Commercial) and Government: AED29 fils per KW
• Other charges for service will be applicable.

Can electric cars be charged with solar panels?

Yes, some public charging stations do use solar panels to charge your electric vehicle. Solar panels installed at home on rooftops can also be used to charge electric vehicles.

How much time will it take for an electric car to get fully charged?

Depending on the car model you own, the battery capacity and the charging station you have chosen, an electric vehicle can take between 1 hour to 8 hours to get fully charged.

On average, an electric vehicle takes a maximum of 8 hours to get fully charged. However, it is advised to not wait to charge your vehicle until the battery gets completely depleted. This can affect your car battery in the long run. Instead, recharge your electric vehicle’s battery in periodic intervals without letting it drain completely.

Which are the best electric cars in UAE?

These are the top electric car models used by car owners in UAE:

• Tesla Model S
• Mercedes-Benz EQC
• Audi e-Tron
• Renault ZOE
• Jaguar I-Pace
• Chevrolet Bolt EV
• Tesla Model 3
• BMW iXDrive50
• Tesla Model X
• Hyundai Kona Electric
• MG ZS EV

Due to the lower emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants compared to petrol or diesel cars, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more and more popular in UAE. Electric cars are a great option for those looking to save money as well as for those who make environmentally conscious choices.

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