Dubai introduces free charging, fee wavers for electric vehicles

Dubai is introducing free charging, designated parking spaces and wavers on fees to encourage the use of electric vehicles.

New incentives announced on Sunday will allow the emirate’s 32,000 electric car owners to charge their vehicles for free at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) Green Charger stations until the end of 2019. The previous rate was Dhs0.29 per kilowatt hour at emirate’s 100 public charging stations.

DEWA plans to increase the charging footprint to 200 stations in 2018.

They will also be provided with free vehicle registration and renewal fees, exemption from Salik tag fees and be able to apply for a sticker allowing parking in free designated electric spaces in some areas of the city, according to officials. These benefits have no current expiry date.

The incentives will save money for electric vehicles owners but fall short of subsidies or rebates offered in other markets that cover 25 per cent or more of the vehicle’s cost.

Read: The GCC’s automotive downturn

They will also be applicable to some hybrid cars that have plug-in capabilities.

The announcement comes following Tesla’s entrance to the market earlier this year and the opening of its first showroom in the region.

Tesla vehicles are also now being used for limousines by Dubai Taxi Corporation.

Read: Dubai adds 50 Tesla electric vehicles to taxi fleet

Dubai is currently undertaking a smart autonomous mobility strategy aimed at making 25 per cent of total journeys driverless by 2030.

The government has also announced plans to make up to 10 per cent of its new fleet orders electric and hybrid vehicles.