Demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the UAE market has witnessed a steady rise over the past years and is projected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR)  of 30% between 2022 and 2028 according to the global electric mobility readiness index published in 2022. In the recent Electric Vehicles Innovation Summit (EVIS 2023) in Abu Dhabi,  His Highness Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, stated that electric vehicles will drive the UAE’s shift towards a green transport future. The minister noted that in line with the UAE’s commitment to becoming climate neutral by 2050, the government aims to increase the share of EVs on roads by 2050. To keep up with this transition, the UAE is installing a nationwide network of EV charging stations and looking at new legislation. The Minister said there are about 500 charging stations and the government aims to increase the number to 800 in the coming years. 

Waste & Recycling magazine met with Fully Charged, founded by local entrepreneurs in Dubai, at COP28 in Expo City, Dubai. Hamza Hindi, General Manager, Fully Charged, spoke about their vision and the EV future in the UAE. He shared insights into the company’s megaproject, focused on reusing end-of-life EV batteries, expected to be launched in the near future. Here is an excerpt from the conversation.

When did Fully Charged start, and how has it evolved in response to growing demand? 

Fully Charged, founded by Alawi Alsafi, commenced operations in 2020. It focussed initially on the B2C market, installing home chargers. The demand grew, prompting expansion into the B2B sector. The company's capacity has significantly increased, with hundreds of chargers being installed monthly across various customer segments, including public spaces, commercial buildings, and private residences. Our vision is to make the EV charging infrastructure easily reachable anywhere, where EV owners can drive to their daily commute without worrying about charging.  

What prompted the focus on charging infrastructure in the market, and how is it influencing the adoption of electric vehicles? 

The infrastructure gap is impeding the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The primary concern raised by people is what if they run out of charge in the middle of a commute and find no charging stations to recharge. To address this, efforts are underway to expand charging infrastructure, covering public stations, home installations, and even government-backed initiatives. Lack of infrastructure prompted us, Fully Charged, to work on developing and enhancing charging stations across the UAE. We want to encourage people to use clean transportation such as electric vehicles. 

Can you elaborate on recent developments in charging infrastructure and governmental involvement in the market? 

Government entities are recognising the need to contribute to accelerate infrastructure development, indicating positive strides in the EV landscape. Notably, there's a push to install charging stations across the country, with key players, such as Adnoc and Taqa, actively investing in this initiative in Abu Dhabi. (The emirate expects to need 70,000 charging points in 2030 to meet growing EV demand with an investment of up to $200 million.) 

What recent regulatory developments signal a positive trajectory? 

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, H.H. Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, recently announced that the UAE will launch a “pricing mechanism” to incentivise the private sector to invest in the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations. This signals a commitment to regulate and encourage investment in charging stations. This investment in the market is crucial at this juncture, serving as the necessary impetus. The regulatory measures will attract investors and companies, further bolstering the EV market.

Why is charging infrastructure crucial for the green energy transition?

Infrastructure should precede EV adoption. The belief is that once robust charging infrastructure is in place, consumers will find EVs more convenient. The responsibility for investing in and developing infrastructure lies with market leaders, who, when taking the initiative, can drive the broader acceptance of EVs.

How do you foresee the future of EVs in the UAE, considering factors like vehicle costs and charging expenses?

There is a promising future for EVs in the UAE. They are the solutions to various challenges associated with conventional fuel cars. While EV costs are higher at present, there are many long-term benefits, including lower maintenance costs and energy costs.  

Despite concerns about electricity production from fossil fuels, data show a 10 to 15% reduction in carbon emissions when using electricity to power EVs compared to traditional fuel cars. This reduction, even considering battery production, suggests a positive environmental impact in the transition to electric mobility. 

According to data, the number of electric vehicles on the world’s roads is on course to increase from 11m to 145m by the end of the decade. What will happen to the end-of-life EVs?

As we delve into the realm of EVs, the question of their end-of-life cycle becomes pivotal. Fully Charged is currently engaged in extensive research on a megaproject focused on reusing batteries that have reached the end of their life cycle in EVs. Instead of discarding them, we envision repurposing these batteries for energy storage. This involves exploring the technical feasibility of connecting these batteries to the grid. The ultimate goal is to contribute to energy storage for the grid, creating a sustainable and efficient system. This megaproject is currently in the research phase, and we are optimistic about seeing it come to fruition in the near future.