Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The UAE’s commitment to sustainable transport systems and the Paris Agreement’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050 took centre stage at the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS 2024) in Abu Dhabi.
Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), H.E. Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI inaugurated the event that witnessed the participation of industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the latest trends and developments in electric mobility.
Al Olama said that electric and hybrid vehicles account for 3% of all vehicles on UAE’s roads and the nation ranked second in the Middle East for electric vehicle sales in 2023, demonstrating increased environmental responsibility.
The government is actively promoting EV adoption by establishing a comprehensive charging network across all seven emirates, the MoEI Under-Secretary noted.
“In this regard, we have already begun collaborating with private sector stakeholders, and we eagerly anticipate further partnerships to facilitate this transition,” he added.
Al Olama also highlighted the development of an EV Gulf Corridor, linking Saudi Arabia and Oman with the UAE by installing charging stations at the borders to help ease the movement of electric vehicles.
“Our aim is to increase the scale and pace of the shift to green mobility through raising the share of EVs to 50% of all vehicles on our roads by the year 2050. This aligns with the UAE’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral in fewer than three decades,” Al Olama said.
Addressing the gathering, Alaa Al Ali, Group CEO of Nirvana Holding, highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving towards a brighter, more sustainable future.
“Together, as we cooperate and innovate, we are not just participants, but active creators of the new era of innovation,” he said.
For his part, Nirvana MICE CEO Naser Al Bahri, said that the summit aims to drive sustainable innovation and international collaboration in electric mobility through insightful discussions, innovative showcases, and networking opportunities to spark new ideas and equip attendees with knowledge.
“As we push the electric vehicle market forward, we also focus on integrating e-mobility into our daily lives, ensuring that sustainable practices become a tangible reality. This summit sets the stage for a future where e-mobility is integral to global transportation strategies,” Al Bahri added.
Speaking to Aletihad on the sidelines, Al Olama said that the launch of UAEV, the first government-owned charging company in the UAE, is instrumental in addressing greenhouse emissions.
He highlighted that the initiative leverages the strengths of regulatory bodies and northern Emirates utility providers to tackle EV market challenges, with a specific focus on alleviating user mileage anxiety.
“When EV users purchase their vehicles, they often experience anxiety and concern about the availability of charging stations to recharge their cars and reach their desired destinations,” he said.
“The UAE has committed to working on infrastructure development across the entire seven emirates to ensure sufficient charging facilities for EV deployment,” Al Olama added.
Speaking to Aletihad, Eng. Yousif Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity (Etihad WE), said that the UAEV is a specialised initiative aimed at deploying charging station infrastructure for EVs across the UAE. It is a joint venture between Etihad Water and Electricity Company and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. We have set a highly ambitious target to meet the rising demand for EV charging stations. By the end of this year, we aim to have 100 chargers installed.”
He further mentioned plans to expand the charger fleet to 1,000 by 2030, prioritising fast and ultra-fast chargers, especially in the Etihad Water and Electricity Company’s area.
According to Al Ali, the infrastructure needs to be available, which will instill confidence and assurance in all individuals planning to own an EV, ensuring they encounter no difficulties or challenges.
In conversation with Aletihad, Heiko Seits, PWC’s Global eMobility Leader, discussed the company’s role in translating decarbonisation agendas into electrification roadmaps, working with stakeholders like utilities, oil and gas companies, and municipalities.
In relation to their participation in the summit, Seits stated: “I think generally the fact that EVIS exists and other electric mobility events in the region is critical because it brings the ecosystem together. Obviously, it creates more visibility for the topics of the future for the user.”
He pointed out the UAE has the opportunity to leverage lessons learned from pioneering regions like the US, Europe, and China to build a faster, more profitable, user-centric, and attractive EV ecosystem.
“We see the emergence of a local EV manufacturing assembly ecosystem, where cars are no longer imported into the region but built here for local markets and exported worldwide. This represents significant value coming from the Middle East with this new technology,” he added.
