Charging ahead: 63% of UAE residents want to drive EVs by 2025

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of UAE residents want to make electric vehicles, or EVs, their primary mode of transport by the year 2025.

This is according to a survey carried out by Al-Futtaim Automotive, in partnership with YouGov, which collated responses from just over 2,000 respondents.

Results from survey provide for interesting reading as the researchers found that 73 per cent of respondents are confident that the UAE will have EV charging stations every few kilometres by 2028. Other key findings included that 28 per cent believe that by 2030, nearly half of the UAE’s population will either be driving EVs or hybrid cards.

“Firstly, the results surpassed all our expectations. With 63 per cent of respondents unequivocally choosing to make electric vehicles their primary mode of transportation, the results are not only overwhelmingly positive but also comprehensively reflect the evolving perceptions of the UAE customers towards electric mobility,” said Katib Belkhodja, Customer Centricity Director, Al-Futtaim Automotive, in a statement.

Interestingly, the survey also revealed the barriers facing greater EV adoption in the UAE.

Respondents said that the primary hurdles to EV adoption include safety concerns (49 per cent), servicing costs (44 per cent), lack of charging infrastructure (41 per cent), battery longevity (41 per cent), and resale value (32 per cent). Another 68 per cent of respondents also believe that EVs are more expensive than regular fuel cars, while EV charging is another major anxiety trigger, particularly as 44 per cent of residents said they cannot install a charging station at home.

Added to this, the survey revealed that residents are keen on making the shift to EVs if there is faster charging time (54 per cent), more charging stations (54 per cent), advancements in battery technology (54 per cent) and if EVs have longer driving ranges (52 per cent).

“This survey not only helps us at Al-Futtaim Group but also the wider industry in clearly underlining the decisive factors that will accelerate sustainable mobility in the UAE”, Belkhodja concluded.

The timing of the survey comes amid the COP28 climate summit having just been concluded in the UAE. There have also been a string of new EV makers pushing into the UAE market with the likes of Faraday Future launching in the country late last month.