Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and Etihad Water and Electricity (Etihad WE) have announced the launch of UAEV, the first government-owned electric vehicle (EV) charging company in the UAE, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards sustainable mobility.
The announcement took place on Monday, during the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS), held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
In the wake of COP28, UAEV further solidifies the UAE's position as a leader in the global energy transition.
This initiative aims to promote sustainable transportation by providing fast and accessible EV charging infrastructure throughout the UAE, in line with its broader vision for a greener future and its commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
In a statement made available to Aletihad, H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: "Developing the infrastructure for electric vehicles has long-term positive impacts on the transportation, energy, and environment sectors.
By enhancing this infrastructure, we support the smooth transition to cleaner modes of transportation and significantly contribute to reducing emissions from the transportation sector, thereby helping achieve the UAE's 2050 climate neutrality strategy."
Ambitious Rollout Plans With a commitment to reliability and efficiency, UAEV sets forth an ambitious rollout to become a national leader in EV charging.
By the end of 2024, the company plans to deploy 100 chargers, scaling up to over 1,000 chargers by 2030, strategically located across the UAE, ensuring accessibility for EV owners nationwide.
UAEV also promises EV users super and ultra-fast charging options to drastically reduce charging times, setting new standards for convenience and efficiency in EV charging infrastructure.
Meeting Growing Demand In 2023, electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for 13% of all vehicle sales in the UAE, marking a significant increase from the previous year's 3.7%, according to H.E. Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI and Chairman of UAEV.
He noted that this surge reflects a growing environmental and technological awareness among communities across the UAE. H.E. Al Olama further affirmed that the government and the private sector have a responsibility to not only respond to this rise in demand for EVs, but to also "actively stimulate it".
"As we embark on the journey towards widespread adoption of electric vehicles, the availability and accessibility of charging stations becomes paramount. The infrastructure this partnership will develop is designed with inclusivity in mind, with charging stations that will be strategically located in public spaces, workplaces, shopping centers, and residential areas, ensuring that drivers from all walks of life have easy access to charging facilities."
The first batch of the new UAEV charging points is expected to be operational later this year.
These stations will offer fast and reliable services, complemented by a dedicated UAEV website and a bespoke app, ensuring a top-tier customer experience, according to the Chairman of UAEV.
He said: "I am confident that by investing in EV infrastructure and accelerating transition to electric vehicles, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and our partnership with Etihad Water & Electricity (Etihad WE) will help build a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable transportation system for the future, one which promotes growth while reducing emission."
Transformative Impact Eng. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity and Board Member of UAEV said: "UAEV is a great example of a project which has its roots in our philosophy at Etihad WE of what it means to be a 'purposeful business' – one which actively creates a positive societal impact and leaves a legacy to be proud of: it will connect our communities, create jobs, and stimulate growth, all the while driving down emissions and safeguarding our environment."
He further highlighted the transformative impact of UAEV's nationwide presence, offering diverse charging solutions in strategic locations.
"On-the-go charging will be available in parking areas and streets, ensuring that drivers can top up their batteries whenever necessary. Additionally, our EV hubs located in cities and along highways will provide a blend of convenience, accessibility, and access to other essential services, making them the heart of our charging networks."
"We will focus on fast and ultra-fast charging solutions. We believe this is crucial for accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in the United Arab Emirates. These advanced charging options will meet customer demand through speed and convenience, making EV ownership more appealing and practical," said Al Ali.
Environmental Commitment Badr Mohammad AlAwadhi, Head of Sustainability at EtihadWE and UAEV Programme Lead noted that this endeavor is poised to generate a lot of employment opportunities, in addition to supporting the diversification of the UAE economy and expediting the shift towards greener, more sustainable modes of transportation.
"At Etihad WE, we pride ourselves on being an environmentally conscious business that is striving to conserve our natural resources, all the while helping and supporting our customers and communities to make climate-positive choices – UAEV is a key part of these efforts," AlAwadhi said.
UAEV represents a pivotal milestone in the UAE's journey towards sustainable mobility, ultimately embodying the country's unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.
