55 New Electric Car Models To Come To UAE

As many as 55 new electric car models are expected to be introduced in the UAE over the next year to encourage citizens to opt for green transportation in a newly-launched campaign.

As part of the new E-Sayyara campaign launched on Thursday to increase the number of motorists driving electric cars, authorities will also bring new incentives to EV users into effect. Ivano Iannelli, CEO of Dubai Carbon, observed that as major car brands like Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, and BMW are introducing new electric cars, UAE markets will see a breakthrough in green mobility by 2020. "General Motors introduced 12 new e-car models lately. At least 55 new models will be in the markets in the next 18 months with a lot more to expect in 2020," Iannelli continued.

The campaign was launched by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) under which concerned authorities will work closely with manufacturers to increase the supply of EVs. Currently, over 4,000 electric cars drive on the streets of the UAE. DSCE is targeting the number to expand to around 270,000 EVs by 2030. Iannelli said the incentives will target different segments of EV motorists. "There are sports enthusiasts, 4x4 drivers, tech savvies and tree huggers; everyone has a different relationship to transport and should be approached differently." He also noted that the incentives will be targeted to meet the expectations of UAE residents and elevate the appeal of green mobility.

In 2017, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) introduced a group of incentives for EV users including free charging until the end of 2019, free Salik tag, free parking spots across Dubai and exemption from vehicle registration and renewal fees. EV drivers now have the facility to charge their vehicles at 200 charging stations across Dubai streets, shopping malls, and tourist destinations.

Secretary-General of DSCE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi told Khaleej Times that Dubai will implement incentives in three phases over the coming years.  "We introduced the basic incentives last year with Dewa, now it's time to supply the market with enough e-cars before introducing new incentives that respond to the market needs," Al Muhairibi continued.

The DSCE has set a target for government organisations to have at least 10 percent of annual leased or purchased cars to be EVs or hybrids, starting from 2016. If the targets are met, electric and hybrid cars would reach two percent density by 2020, swelling to 10 percent by 2030. "This supports the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector," said Al Muhairbi.