UAE energy ministry, Etihad WE set up EV charging infrastructure firm

Image credit: Karol Serewis/ Getty Images

UAE’s ministry of energy and Etihad Water and Electricity (Etihad WE) have set up a joint venture to build and operate fast electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the country.

The venture, known as UAEV, is the first EV charging network fully owned by the government.

The new company seeks to ensure that the country meets the current demand for EV infrastructure while making it easier for the citizens and residents to go green.

“UAEV embodies the power of partnership between government and industry and aims to provide vital electric vehicle infrastructure to boost adoption of EVs, energise communities, and unleash the economic potential of the UAE,” said Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

The ministry of energy and Etihad WE expect to unveil further details about UAEV’s growth strategy plans by the end of 2024. UAEV seeks to contribute to the advancement of the country’s electric mobility while meeting the growing demand from motorists.

The deployment of EV infrastructure presents significant economic opportunities, including job creation. The kind of EV infrastructure envisaged by UAEV will play an important role in supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

EV charging infrastructure is essential to electric car adoption.

The ministry of energy and Etihad WE’s venture aligns with the UAE’s broader strategies to reduce carbon emissions, starting from the deployment of electric buses and taxis, and extending to improvements in public services.

TAQA and ADNOC Distribution established E2GO in January 2023 – a mobility venture that will build and operate EV infrastructure in Abu Dhabi and other emirates.

Earlier in 2024, Schneider Electric partnered with Charge&Go, a unit of e& Group, to drive the development of EV charging infrastructure in the UAE.

The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority joined forces with BEEAH in January to build and operate a network of EV charging stations. Hundreds of chargers will be built across the emirate in strategic locations along highways and multiple districts, covering key commercial and urban areas to make charging fast, convenient, and accessible to the public.

Similarly, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority plans to accelerate the roll-out of green fast and ultra-fast charging stations for EVs and operate 1,000 charging points by the end of 2025.

Read: Dubai utility DEWA to expand EV charging network to 1,000 by 2025