MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
After the UAE ranked first regionally in electric vehicle sales for the second consecutive year, local EV owners say the country's progress is being felt less as a policy headline and more as a practical change in daily driving preferences.
The ranking comes as the UAE accelerates its transition towards smart and sustainable transport, supported by policies aimed at boosting EV adoption, expanding charging infrastructure and attracting investment in clean mobility.
For EV owners, this country's clean mobility push is translating into visible everyday benefits, with lower running costs, smoother journeys and improved charging access making EV ownership increasingly practical.
Al Anood Al Mansoori, who owns a Tesla, said that affordability and convenience were the main reasons behind her decision to switch. "It's more affordable, I don't have to worry about refuelling, and I can avoid waiting at crowded petrol stations. I also don't travel much between emirates," she told Aletihad.
Al Mansoori added that, over the past year, the experience has been positive enough that she would recommend EV ownership to friends and family. Home charging has been a major part of that convenience, offering a more reliable option when public charging stations get busy during peak hours.
The financial incentive has also become difficult to ignore. She explained that savings on fuel and maintenance were among the strongest reasons for choosing an electric vehicle, while environmental sustainability, though not her primary motivation, remains a welcome benefit.
According to Al Mansoori, the UAE's regional lead in EV sales suggests that more residents are becoming comfortable with the idea of switching, helped by national efforts to make cleaner transport easier to adopt.
Eissa Al Jadidi, who drives an Avatr electric vehicle, chose EV ownership for different reasons. For him, the appeal lay in trying new technology while moving away from the higher maintenance demands of conventional cars.
He told Aletihad that his experience so far has been "excellent", noting that the UAE's charging network is becoming more accessible and easier to rely on as infrastructure expands.
The improved access, Al Jadidi said, has helped reduce some of the hesitation drivers may feel before giving up petrol cars. The savings have also been clear, with lower fuel and maintenance expenses adding to the appeal of EVs, he added.
Al Jadidi described the UAE's position at the top of regional EV sales as a source of national pride and a sign of its growing role as a technology leader.
For Abdullah Al Hajeri, who drives a ROX electric vehicle, curiosity did the initial persuading as EVs became a more familiar sight on UAE roads. What started as an interest in trying something new turned into a more practical experience, with smooth driving and day-to-day comfort standing out as the main benefits.
Al Hajeri told Aletihad that EV ownership has become a realistic choice in the UAE, particularly as charging infrastructure continues to grow in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He added that the financial benefits are clear, with fuel and maintenance costs lower than those of a traditional car. Sustainability mattered to him too, though it was not the main reason he made the switch.
Al Hajeri also pointed out that some of the concerns he had at the start - mainly around charging and driving range - became easier to manage once he understood how to plan journeys and use the available charging options.