The UAE government has announced that it will solely provide fast and super-fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the country. This initiative aims to enhance the living conditions in the UAE by promoting cleaner air and reducing carbon emissions, as stated by the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al Mazrouei, during an interview on Thursday.

According to Khaleej Times, minister Al Mazrouei said that the speed of chargers is a significant concern for consumers of electric vehicles. He mentioned, “But we don’t want to offer just any chargers; the charging speed is the main concern of consumers when it comes to electric vehicles.” To address this, the ministry has set prices for the new chargers based on their charging speed. These chargers will be available in various locations, including shopping malls and residential areas, focusing particularly on transitioning group transport vehicles to electric.

Additionally, the Minister highlighted that several local companies are already manufacturing EV chargers, including the state-owned electric vehicle charging network company UAEV. He noted that “the market remains open to all,” indicating a collaborative effort to expand EV infrastructure. The ministry has also issued tariffs for the new chargers, which vary according to their speed.

Recently, UAEV announced new tariffs that will take effect at the beginning of the year. The cost for DC chargers will be Dh1.20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), plus VAT, while AC chargers will be priced at Dh0.70 per kWh, plus VAT. However, the minister confirmed that EV charging services will remain free of charge.

Minister Al Mazrouei pointed out the positive impact of renewable energy projects on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the quality of life in the UAE. He stated, “All those renewable projects affect residents by making the city most pleasant to live in, because carbon emissions inevitably affect people’s lives.” He also noted that UAE fuel is among the cleanest globally due to its low carbon intensity.

The Minister provided insights into the UAE’s goals for renewable energy, aiming to reduce the average emission rate from around 400 grams per kilowatt to 270 grams by 2030. He mentioned that increased reliance on solar, nuclear, and hydrogen energy sources will contribute to cleaner air, highlighting concerns about pollution in other cities. “When travelling to highly polluted cities, we sometimes find it difficult to breathe, and some even wear face masks. We are working on not allowing our country to reach that stage,” he remarked.

In response to inquiries about renewable energy production in the UAE, Minister Al Mazrouei discussed Masdar’s upcoming solar project, which aims to combine 5GW of solar capacity with 19GW of battery storage. He expressed optimism that this project would likely exceed the UAE’s renewable energy targets, stating, “We will recalculate now; they surprised us with the new project.” Currently, the UAE has 6GW of solar power and 5.9GW of nuclear power, all sourced from clean energy.

The Minister also highlighted the UAE’s ambition in hydrogen energy production, noting that the country was one of the first to join the hydrogen alliance, with two companies now participating. He explained that creating a market for hydrogen is vital for supporting its production. “Like in Adnoc, they are working towards more than 2 million tonnes of blue ammonia (to be turned into hydrogen),” he said, adding that fertilizer companies stand to benefit significantly from increased hydrogen production.

While there are challenges in hydrogen production, including the high cost of green hydrogen, Minister Al Mazrouei indicated that advancements have lowered the cost from $10 to between $5 and $6 per kilogram. He anticipates further reductions through large-scale projects, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to this sector without relying on subsidies. The government aims to maintain low electricity costs while ensuring environmental and financial sustainability through ongoing investments in renewable energy and supportive legislation for private sector participation.

Overall, Minister Al Mazrouei concluded that the progress made thus far is promising, stating, “Overall, everything we have seen so far is delightful and indicates that we are on the right path towards sustainability.”