Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is pushing ahead with earlier plans to complete 100 electric vehicle charging stations by the end of this year, in a bid to encourage hybrid and electric vehicles and reduce Dubai’s carbon footprint.
Dewa has already completed its first phase, with 16 green charging stations for public use, and is now working on completing the infrastructure to build a further 84 stations by the end of this year.
“Our objective is to become the smartest city in the world. Dubai has all the elements to reach top positions globally and has become a leading global hub for sustainability, competitiveness, and green economy,” said Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.
The rate per kilowatt hour (kW/h) for charging an electric vehicle in public charging points is 29 fils per kW/h, and DEWA has already registered the first individual user for the green charging stations.
Hybrid or electric cars may be more expensive compared to conventional cars, but proponents argue that motorists should consider the fuel efficiency of hybrid and electric cars and reduced emissions.
Twelve of the existing stations have been installed at DEWA’s centres, including at its head office, and in Al Wasl, Al Hudaiba, Burj Nahar, Umm Ramool, and Jebel Ali, and can each accommodate two vehicles at a time. Another station has been installed in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Some of the stations, the ‘Green Charger’ ones will also be solar-powered and so carbon-neutral – emitting no greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
