The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure has reported a notable increase in electric vehicle (EV) sales in the UAE, where EVs now account for more than 1% of the overall car market.

At the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, “The options for those who are going to own an EV have increased significantly with aggressive competition from Europe, the US and also from China, South Korea, Japan, and others.” He added, “We need them to compete to reduce the prices of the cars [and] we need them to come up with innovative technologies.”

According to the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index 2022 report published last year, it was observed that the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the UAE is projected to experience an annual growth rate of 30% between 2022 and 2028.

Aligned with the UAE’s objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the government is committed to augmenting the presence of EVs on the country’s roads within the same timeframe. The official urged conference attendees to foster collaboration, emphasizing the necessity of aligning the transport sector with low-carbon and sustainable practices.

To support the adoption of green transportation, the UAE is establishing a widespread network of EV charging stations across the country. Additionally, the government is considering new legislation related to charging infrastructure. The UAE has 500 operational stations, and there are plans to increase this number to 800 soon, as Al Mazrouei mentioned.

“Reaching net-zero emissions has become a collective and urgent priority that can only be achieved by decarbonizing carbon-intensive sectors. Electric vehicles are set to be at the core of our shift to green mobility,” Al Mazrouei said.

The minister also encouraged the potential of investment opportunities in the country, “We invite future-thinking businesses to capitalize on these opportunities. Investing in the EV industry makes a perfect environmental and economic sense.”