Dubai: UAEV, the first fully government-owned electric vehicle (EV) charging network, has been officially launched in Abu Dhabi, covering all seven emirates. The joint venture between the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) aims to install 100 charging units by the end of this year, scaling to 1,000 by 2030.
The initiative expects to reduce 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030, equivalent to planting 1.8 million trees. UAEV will offer 160kW fast-charging points, accessible to the public, including taxi drivers, at strategic locations across the UAE.
The service will be free to use until the end of the year, with pricing to be determined later. The joint venture supports current EV owners and encourages the switch to EVs.
“EVs are the future of global mobility. Our communities are becoming more environmentally conscious and want to play an active role in a sustainable future,” said Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI and chairman of UAEV, during the launch at the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit at ADNEC.
Globally, EV sales reached 10 million units in 2022, five times higher than in 2019. This partnership ensures the UAE can meet the growing demand for EV infrastructure and makes it easier for residents to adopt green transportation.
Input from: Khaleej Times