Abu Dhabi will build 1,000 new charging piles for EVs

According to foreign media reports, "Abu Dhabi Mobility," a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport in the UAE, recently announced a large-scale investment in EV infrastructure development, planning to install 1,000 new charging piles across 400 locations, covering key strategic areas such as hotels and shopping malls.

Although Abu Dhabi Mobility has not disclosed the specific investment amount, it has clearly stated that "multiple operators have been designated through a public-private partnership (PPP) model." These operators will be responsible for the supply, installation, operation, and maintenance of charging piles across Abu Dhabi.

The plan will deploy charging piles at 400 locations in Abu Dhabi Island, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra regions, with all charging stations operating under the unified "Charge AD" brand. The charging rates are set at 0.7 dirhams per kWh for alternating current (AC) and 1.2 dirhams per kWh for direct current (DC). In the future, additional charging facilities may be installed in other public places such as shopping malls and hotels through cooperative models, although no specific implementation plans have been confirmed yet.

This initiative is a crucial component of the UAE's strategic investment in EV charging infrastructure, aiming to drive a gradual and coordinated transition towards clean transportation, with its 2050 net-zero emissions vision becoming clearer each year. The current plan to deploy 1,000 charging piles in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra regions is only the first phase of the overall plan. In the future, the country will also take measures such as annual capacity expansion to ensure that the growth of charging facilities matches market demand.

Dr. Abdulla Hamed Al Ghfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Center in Abu Dhabi, stated, "We believe that establishing a unified and widely accessible EV charging network is a crucial step in promoting the adoption of EVs and building smarter, more sustainable communities. This initiative will support Abu Dhabi's future vision of achieving emission reductions and efficiency gains."

According to data from the Integrated Transport Center in Abu Dhabi, in Q1 2025, the number of EV registrations in Abu Dhabi exceeded 15,000 units, a sharp increase of 60% YoY. As early as 2022, Abu Dhabi formulated a clear policy blueprint aiming to achieve 50% vehicle electrification nationwide by 2040, covering the entire industry chain of EVs, including vehicle purchase, power supply, pricing mechanisms, and charging facilities.