Are you thinking about buying an electric vehicle, but unsure about how you’ll charge it? Don’t be! We’ve got answers to all your EV-curious questions.
Are you eyeing that sleek new electric vehicle (EV), but finding yourself holding back because of “charge anxiety”? You’re probably not alone. Thinking about where to plug in, or how you’ll get a charger installed in your high-rise, can feel daunting.
Of the approximately 310,000 new vehicles sold in the UAE in 2025, electrified vehicles accounted for about 9% (6% to 8% were pure battery EVs, and 2.5% were plug-in hybrids).
Buying an EV really is better for the environment (check out this article if you need a bit more convincing), and the perception around their driving capabilities is mostly a myth. In fact, electric vehicles accelerate faster than traditional gas cars, so if you’re looking for a speedy, smooth, road-hugging experience, EVs can certainly offer that.
And with the UAE’s 2050 target of 50% electric and hybrid vehicles on the road, finding a charging point around town won’t be a problem.
So let’s clear up a few common myths and answer the big questions for the EV-curious driver.
Is finding an EV charger in the UAE actually hard?
Finding a charging port in the UAE does not require a treasure map, especially if you’re in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
According to the GEMRIX 2026 study, the UAE boasted roughly 2,800 public charging points by early 2026. Around 1,250 of those were fast DC charging points, with 350 designated as high-power chargers.
“Outside Dubai, the network is less dense, so some planning is still useful for longer journeys. However, the situation is improving quickly. Abu Dhabi, for example, is expanding ultra-fast charging through initiatives such as Barq, while national and private-sector networks are increasing coverage across the Emirates,” says Antonio Semeraro, Principal of Arthur D. Little.
And there are more charging ports on the way, with 10,000 charging points planned by 2030 and a staggering 30,000 by 2050.
“At the emirate level, we are seeing the market open to more operators,” Antonio says. A new licensing framework from DEWA allows independent charge point operators to install ports throughout the city, meaning that in the future, restaurants and even small local shops can install charging ports directly in front of their business.
While networks outside Dubai are slightly less dense, cities like Abu Dhabi are ‘closing the gap’ with initiatives like Barq and expanded national networks. For daily city driving, charging availability is no longer a hurdle.
For drivers, expect three distinct upgrades: more plugs and faster charge speeds at places you already visit.
And there are more charging ports on the way, with 10,000 charging points planned by 2030 and a staggering 30,000 by 2050.
How do I install an EV charger at home?
At home, the money-saving benefits of an electric vehicle come to life. While installing a charger after your EV purchase does require a bit of upfront cost (usually between 3,000 – 7,000 dhs), charging at home overnight is, frankly, dead cheap: a full charge for an average battery is roughly 15 – 20 dhs (compare that with the pump).
Here’s the tricky thing: for residents who live in a villa, getting a charger installed is a simple process; however, for those in high-rise apartments, it can be a bit of a mission (but a worthwhile one). “How straightforward installation is depends on the building’s electrical capacity, parking layout and existing infrastructure,” says Mohammed Tahaineh, Chief Projects Officer for DAMAC Properties. “Our approach is to provide shared charging facilities rather than chargers dedicated to individual tenants,” he explains, though DAMAC facility managers try to work with tenants to install chargers where possible.
Older buildings add another challenge: space and electrical capacity. Buildings erected before the popularity of EVs don’t always have the power capabilities for hundreds of new charging ports, and routing new power cables across parking areas isn’t always possible. “The feasibility of installation is therefore building-specific: a resident’s request needs to be considered alongside the capacity and configuration of the building’s shared infrastructure,” he says.
However, there’s good news.
Future real estate design is shifting toward “EV-ready” buildings, embedding the required electrical capacity and cabling during construction rather than retrofitting later. In fact: “All upcoming DAMAC developments are being designed with EV charging readiness,” Mohammed says. “The most significant step is incorporating EV charging provisions into community infrastructure from the planning stage.”
Now, this doesn’t mean all new buildings will have row upon row of charging ports ready to go in building parking lots, but it does mean installing a port will be relatively painless in the future. With the infrastructure already incorporated, these new buildings are wired to be EV-friendly.
And if your building is still catching up, you can easily rely on convenient nearby public stations, retail hubs, or workplace chargers.
What about that trip outside of a major city?
Listen, modern EV batteries are actually pretty impressive. Contemporary EVs deliver between 300 and 500 kilometers on a single full charge. That covers daily commutes and routine city errands several times over without needing to charge. And for those longer trips outside the city, high-power highway charging stations already exist, with more on the way. Also, there’s some shockingly cool advancements happening in EV batteries; BYD’s Denza Z9S, for instance, boasts an incredible 1,100 kilometers per charge. Remember, 10,000 planned charging ports are on track to be completed within the next four years.
Love exploring the Oman coastlines on the weekends? Oman plans to double their EV charging stations by 2027, so that EV road trip across the Gulf is absolutely a reality.
Now, where are you driving your EV?
