The Ultimate Guide for Electric Cars in the UAE

A few days ago, I talked to my friend Hussein about electric cars as he planned to buy one. 

As an expert in the field of automotive, I knew some information about these vehicles.

To strengthen my knowledge further and provide Hussein with all the information.

I dived deep into the topic. 

You name it, like AI tools, search engines, papers, and friends. 

Yet, I felt that there was too much technical jargon and information that ain’t factual. 

I put myself in Hussein’s shoes as if I had made such a decision, which is a huge time and money investment, and it was wrong. 

So I went all out on a quest to explore the world of EV cars fair and square. 

And then thought to myself, why not post my findings for people in the UAE?

So that they can make the right decision and not just read tea leaves and hope for the best. 

A wrong decision in this aspect could make or break a bank account.

But don’t worry, I got you. 

That’s why I made this blog to cover the topic of electric cars in the UAE from A to Z, from every angle that might be important. 

Whether they’re worth it, terms to know about them, why not, or why to buy them and if they’re worth the hype. 

So, prepare your cup of coffee,  relax, and let’s dive into the sea of electric cars.

What Is an Electric Car?

The simplest way to define EV vehicles is that they are cars that run on electricity rather than petrol.  

They do this by using an eclectic motor powered by a battery, which you can charge by plugging it in.   

The motor gets its energy from a controller.

This controller produces power based on the driver’s usage of the accelerator pedal. 

Powered by an electric motor rather than a petrol engine.

Electric cars do not need internal combustion engines ( IC )  to run. 

EVs use stored energy in their batteries, which you can recharge from the comfort of your home.  

There are a multitude of reasons why EVs have become more popular in recent years. 

They do not burn fuel, have zero emissions, and create much less noise pollution. 

EVs are on the rise in the UAE due to government efforts and initiatives.

Like, achieving zero net emissions by 2050. 

I like to use the metaphor of EVs as manual cars having a forward and reverse mode.

If you put an EV in drive and press the accelerator pedal.

Your car's battery stores energy as Direct current ( DC), sends power to an inverter.

The inverter changes this DC power into Alternating Current (AC).

This current is what the electric motor uses. 

Pressing the accelerator more or less sends a signal to the car's controller. 

This controller tells the inverter to change the frequency and voltage of the AC power going to the motor.

Which in turn controls how fast the motor spins and thus how fast the car goes.

Simply put, imagine the EV's car battery is like a big water tank ( DC).  

When you press the accelerator, it opens a valve, sending water to a special machine (inverter ) that changes the water flow from a steady stream to pulsing waves (AC).  

These pulsing waves ( AC) power a water wheel ( electric motor), making your car move. 

The harder you press the accelerator, the more you open the valve, the stronger the pulsing waves (AC), and the faster the water wheel spins, making your car go faster. 

EV cars have been a trending topic recently in the UAE and other countries worldwide. 

Many people are questioning whether to buy them and whether they’re the future of cars. 

As promised earlier, this blog will provide you with all you need to know about these cars. 

Why Electric Cars Are Rising in the UAE

The EV market in the UAE has been on the rise lately, and for a valid reason(s). 

This shift occurred due to the shift in people’s environmental consciousness. 

As they became more aware of the environmental consequences of using petrol cars. 

Also, because of the ongoing government initiatives and vision.

Another reason for the rise is the lower cost of operation in comparison to petrol cars.

The government is also making it easier for people to switch. 

They do this by providing many charging stations all over the country. 

Not only do they provide lots of stations, but also a lot of perks that come with the buy. 

To note a few, they’re exempt from tax, and they pay less for registration fees. 

Aside from this, the UAE is popular for its high capital and pay, making it easier for people to make the shift.

To not overwhelm you with tons of information. 

In simple words, the electric car market is rising in the UAE.

Due to government efforts, people’s preferences, and the ease of making the shift. 

Common Types OF Evs

These are the common types of EVs:

BEVs ( Battery Electric Vehicles)

A car that runs on electricity stored in a battery. 

You need to plug in the battery for it to charge.

They’re known to have low to zero emissions.

PHEVs ( Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicles )

A car that runs on electricity from a battery and also uses a gasoline engine.

You need to plug in the battery for it to charge.

Low emissions.

HEVs (Self-Charging Hybrid) 

A car that uses both electricity and gasoline for power. 

The engine charges the battery. 

Lower emissions than petrol and diesel cars. 

MHEV (Mild Hybrid)  

A car that uses both electricity and gasoline for power. 

The engine charges the battery. 

Lower emissions than petrol and diesel cars. 

You might be thinking ……

What's the difference between hybrid and electric cars?

The key difference between electric and hybrid cars is that an EV or BEV is a car that runs on a battery only.

On the flip side, hybrid cars use a combination of petrol and batteries. 

In other words, EVs rely on their battery and motor system for them to move. 

While hybrid cars rely on both gasoline and a battery to move. 

Hybrid cars need oil changes without an engine, while EVs won’t. 

A Brief History of EVs in the UAE

As mentioned earlier, the UAE has been witnessing a rise in demand for electric vehicles. 

A main reason is that the UAE government aims for the country to have at least 50% electric cars on the road by 2050. 

Firms like Al-Futtaim Automotive adopted the idea back in 2008.

By introducing Toyota's electric vehicle models. 

UAE is ambitious to reach 42 K EVs by the end of 2030. 

Young professionals are early adopters, and families are fond of EVs due to its practicality.

Businesses are also recognizing the fuel cost savings and positive environmental impact.

While current sales figures are still small compared to giants like China, Europe, and the US.

The momentum in the UAE's EV market is fierce.

Dubai is keen on electric cars. 

A testimony of this is the  "EV Green Charger Initiative."

The goal of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make Dubai the most eco-friendly place in the world inspired this.

In the year 2015, DEWA ( Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) placed 100 different public charging stations for EVs.

To encourage more adoption of EVs in Dubai. 

As you’ve guessed, they did increase the number to a total of 400. 

DEWA is making Dubai more and more sustainable. 

These chargers are all connected to a smart system. 

AKA  Charge Point Management System (CPMS)

Having an EV and planning your next trip to Dubai?

Use DEWA’s website or app to find charging locations.

You can charge your car by scanning a QR code with your phone. 

EV Charging in the UAE: What You Need to Know

In the UAE and need to charge your EV, here’s what you can do: 

You take a charge cable, you open your charge flap on your car, and then you plug in the cable. 

The way you charge depends very much on where you charge.

We recommend charging your EVs at home because that's the cheapest and easiest way to do so. 

You'll need a private driveway or at least a parking spot near your house for that, though. 

You can also use a lamp post charger.

You can charge your car at home without having a driveway by using a system that tucks the cable along the pavement. 

You can also consider charging at work or in a car park in a supermarket. 

If you're short on time, the fastest way is through a public rapid charger.  

You'll find this as a service station or dedicated EV charging facility. 

All electric devices are measured in watts, like a light bulb, for instance. 

So, it's the same unit of measurement for electric cars. 

Even petrol cars can be measured in kilowatts. 

Energy in kilowatt hours, AKA your battery capacity. 

A battery in an EV is measured in thousands of watt-hours. 

That's how many kilowatts the battery can supply the motor for a full hour. 

Imagine a car had a tiny 1 kilowatt motor equal to 1.3 horsepower, but had a huge KW battery pack. 

The energy in that battery pack is enough to run this tiny motor for 50 straight hours.

As we mentioned earlier, we recommend having a home EV charger, so let’s explain why.

Why bother with a home EV charger in the UAE?

I don’t know where to begin, I can’t state the endless benefits of charging your EV at home. 

First things first, you save tons of money as you’ll usually pay more when charging at public stations. 

You can charge the car way faster using a Level 2 home charger in comparison to a regular wall socket. 

Not only does charging at home save you money and time, but it’s also an investment. 

It’s an investment because homes with EV setups have more value than those who don’t. 

And as we mentioned, the UAE government favors anything contributing to sustainability.

What kind of home chargers are there?

Level 1

Your basic wall socket (120V). 

It's slow, giving you about 3-5 miles of range per hour. 

Good for occasional top-ups.

This level charger comes with most EVs. 

Level 2

The sweet spot for home use ( 240 V). 

It’s way faster than level one, adding 12-60 range per hour. 

This level is the best choice for daily charging and fast charging. 

These chargers range from AED 2000 - AED 5000. 

Level 3 

Also known as DC fast chargers. 

These types of chargers are rapid, like real rapid ( 400 V+) charging your car to 80% in like half an hour or less. 

These are often at commercial spots, not residential areas. 

They cost a fortune too ( 15,000 AED+) 

At Tyres Online, we recommend that you go with a level 2 charger. 

You may be thinking … ok, how can I install them?

Here’s how :

Check your electrical system by seeing if your home supports a 240 V installation.

Also, if you’ve got an old house, you might need a panel upgrade. 

Pick the right charger, considering the one with the best smart features. ( We recommend A level 2)

Contact a certified installer that complies with UAE regulations. 

Check if you need a permit and get one if you do. 

Schedule a time that works for you and make sure you won’t have any important occasions at the time.

Most installations can take up to 6 hours. 

If that’s not a possibility, and you can’t charge your car at home. 

The simplest way you can find a public station near you is by searching Google or checking this guide by shory.

Where is the charger on my car? 

Usually an EV would have a charger at the front or the back or at both or two on the front and back. 

There are lots of different combinations.

They get their energy from a battery, but not your regular 12 V battery; this battery exists in every car. 

The main battery, often referred to as the traction battery, is the one that takes over and drives the car. 

It is often found on the floor of the vehicle because it's huge. 

The distance an EV car can travel on a 100% charged battery is its range. 

Range depends on the battery size and kilowatt hours.

50 KW is the average, and 100 kW is a lot. 

How long does an EV take to charge? 

This depends on doing AC or DC charging. 

AC ( Alternating current) is the type of electricity used at domestic locations ( Home).

DC ( Direct Current) is the type of electricity that you'll use when you're at a public charger. 

Note:

The Charging speed of EV cars will depend on the battery, its chemistry and the way it's designed.

Some batteries charge faster than others, and that's reflected in the price of the battery.

Even the car price itself.

A thing to know is you won't always get the full charging speed all the time. 

Batteries charge way quicker when they're above 20% full and below 80% full. 

Manufacturers don't give out 0-100% times, they tend to give 10-80% or 20-80% as a rough guideline.

They give it to state how fast a car would charge.

That tends to work out to about half an hour in the case. 

There's a reason why the speed of charging slows down as soon as the car gets fuller.

Because overcharging's a bad idea.

Battery management systems in most cars need to slow down the rate of charge.

This prevents overcharging.

Think of it as filling a cup of coffee.

You'll fill it fast at the beginning, but then as you go, you'll be more cautious not to overfill it. 

This might sound a bit annoying, but smart drivers take their precautions. 

Let me give an example of what a smart driver is. 

Hussein is going on a 300-mile trip, and his EV has a range of 250; he doesn't need to stop and fill it all the way back up. 

What did he do?

Stopped after 200 miles, topped up for maybe 10-15 minutes.

He completed the journey, and once he reached his desired destination, he plugged it in again.

You could go faster if your house's got a three-phase electricity, but that's rare in the UAE, though. 

See, the thing is, many people won't charge their car until they sleep.

So the speed at which you charge ain't that important. 

Keep in mind that at public charge spots.

The charge speed is dictated by the speed at which the battery itself can accept a DC charge. 

Charging at home?

Electronics in your car, in the onboard charger, which converts AC to DC, dictate how fast you charge.

If your car onboard charger only charges at 9 KW using a 30 KW charger won't make it any faster.

Pros and Cons of Owning an EV in the UAE

Pros	Cons
Lower Running Costs	Higher Initial Cost
Less Maintenance	Range Anxiety
Government Incentives	Charging Time
Environmental Friendliness	Charging Infrastructure (Compared to Petrol)
Performance	Potential Battery Degradation
Future-Proofing
Growing Charging Infrastructure
Support for Sustainability Goals

A common question that is often asked is whether or not you can use less battery power. 

The short answer is yes, but let me tell you why: 

If you want to save battery power for your EV you’d be doing it in the same way as you would if you’re trying to save more petrol on a petrol car. 

Sounds odd right? 

Let me explain: 

Electric cars measure efficiency in miles per kilowatt-hour (Miles per kWh), unlike petrol cars which use miles per gallon (MPG). 

A dashboard reading of 4 miles per kilowatt-hour indicates that the vehicle can travel 4 miles for every kilowatt-hour consumed from the battery. 

To estimate the real-time range for a trip, multiply this efficiency by the battery's capacity.

It's important to note that advertised EV ranges can be somewhat deceptive due to the use of an industry-standard test, the same one used for petrol car MPG ratings. 

This test often leads to inflated expectations. 

Ultimately, real-world range is significantly influenced by driving conditions.

Factors such as carrying a full load of passengers or driving uphill will naturally reduce the vehicle's range.

Should You Buy an EV in the UAE?

Evs excel in many aspects in a UAE context. 

They offer low running and maintenance costs. 

EV drivers are a bit favoured by the UAE government as they have perks like tax exemptions and lower registration fees.

If you are fond of the environment like myself, then they are great in this essence. 

As there’s little to no comparison of emissions exerted from them and petrol cars. 

Also the shift to electric cars for future proof is sensible as this is the prominent way that the world is moving towards. 

Though, EVs are great in several aspects. 

But they aren’t all sunshine and rainbows though. 

The common disadvantages include: 

• Higher initial cost than petrol cars. 
• Range anxiety ( This is often exaggerated though)
• Takes more time than filling a petrol car.
• Concerns about battery degradation in the UAE heat.

Personally, I recommend driving EVs especially in UAE due to the endless benefits now and the ones yet to come. 

So whether or not to drive an EV comes to your personal preference. 

To make it easier for you here are few questions to make it easier to decide: 

Do I drive less than 200 km daily?

Do I have home or workplace parking with electricity?

Do I wanna save on fuel in the long run? 

If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, go for an EV. 

Final Takeaway

If you can manage the initial cost of EVs and your daily driving aligns with EV cars. 

You should get one as soon as possible. 

On the contrary, if you’re someone who drives long distances or relies on quick refueling, you have to consider if the EV’s are the right choice for you. 

EV Battery Care in UAE Weather

UAE scorching heat is probably no stranger to you. 

If you drive an EV or think of driving one here’s the full guide on caring for your battery in such harsh weather. 

If you don’t care for your battery, start now. 

As this will affect your tyres, battery and performance. 

So here’s what you can do: 

Overheating Prevention 

One of the main problems for electric cars in the summer is the battery gets too hot (overheating).

High temperatures can rupture your battery and make it less efficient.

To prevent overheating you should: 

• Park always in shaded areas like garages. 
• There are EVs that have a thermal management system , use it if you’ve got one.
• Avoid fast charging many times as this strains your EV more.
• Charge your car when it's cooler, early morning or late night.

 Strategically Use Air Conditioning

If you run your AC at max,  you use lots of your car’s battery power. 

To prevent this from happening you should: 

• Cool down your car while it's still plugged in before driving.
• Use seat coolers if your car has them.
• Turn on eco mode, as this manages power consumption.

Tyre Care 

Heat from the sun causes your tyre pressure to increase, which can affect your performance and handling.  Actually we’ve got a comprehensive guide about this, if you want to take a look. 

So briefly what should you do: 

• Regularly check your tyre pressure to make sure it’s inflated optimally.
• Check your car’s manual or guides to set your tyre to the right PSI.
• Look for signs of tyre tread wear. 

Manage Energy Consumption

The higher the temperature, the higher the energy consumption. 

You don’t want to lose that energy, so here’s what you do : 

• View how much energy has been consumed via your EV dashboard. 
• Pre-plan your trips to know where and how you’ll go and hence, more saved energy. 

Check Your Car Fluids and Cooling Systems

Probably you’re thinking, they don’t have engine oil? 

That’s true, but they’ve got cooling systems and fluids that prevent them from overheating. 

To keep these systems optimally here’s what you do: 

• Keep an eye for coolant levels and fill them up if you need to do so. 
• Make sure that the vents and fans don’t have dirt in them. 

Common Myths About Electric Cars — Busted

In this section we’ll debunk common misconceptions and myths that are often associated with EVs. 

Myth

EVs are more expensive than petrol cars. 

Fact 

Though, the initial cost of an EV might seem more expensive than petrol. 

There are certain things that disprove this theory. 

Actually, cost of owning an EV is less expensive than petrol cars. 

That’s due to :  Less spare parts, meaning very few service fees, like really few. 

Also, charging your car is actually much cheaper in comparison to fueling your car. 

Like we mentioned earlier, you could install a charger at the comfort of your home and you can charge it only once or twice per week. 

Myth

EVs range is not enough for daily driving. 

Fact 

This is a phenomenon often referred to as range anxiety, where drivers fear running out of electricity before charging their cars. 

The truth is the range of most electric cars are sufficient to cover daily driving and they might even drive you more than petrol cars. 

To be frank, there are certain situations where the range decreases like extreme heat or cold. 

But, following simple steps like the ones noted earlier could make you drive with ease without a worry in the world. 

Myth

Petrol cars are better than EVs for the environment. 

Fact

Let's separate fact from fiction. 

The answer is yes in comparison to regular petrol cars ev cars have zero emissions. 

A petrol car or hybrid car will always keep on spitting out CO2 from the moment it leaves the factory until the moment you crush it and get rid of it. 

With an EV it's different, once it leaves the car factory it's a lot more friendly to the environment. 

However, emissions are produced during the process of their production plus their transport from the factory to the driveway but it's still nowhere near the total emissions of equivalent cars. 

A study conducted in 2019 concluded that petrol/ gasoline vehicles produce 350 grams worth of CO2 more than electric cars. 

In other words, EVs emissions and carbon footprint is way less than petrol cars and so better for the environment. 

Myth

Electric car batteries get used up quickly and they need to get replaced every few years. 

Fact

This claim is wrong on many levels. 

This is because car batteries have a longer life than you may think.

If an EV battery dropped to 70% of its original power. 

There’s still plenty of usage left in it. 

Even if the battery has no usage left, it can be reused as a storage system. 

Actually, car manufacturers use this in creative ways like using them as a backup energy storage at football stadiums.

There’s a possibility of recycling EV batteries too. 

However, recycling isn’t popular at the moment due to EVs being a bit new to the market. 

Also, EVs have long battery life and they are used as second life batteries to power your home or your business. 

But maybe, maybe they will be popular in the future. 

Before we dive into the FAQ’s about EVs, let me explain a few things about EV batteries. 

Whether or not your battery will last depends on the cycle life.

What’s a Cycle Life?

A cycle life is a unit of measurement that measures how many complete charges and discharges a rechargeable battery can experience before it can’t hold a useful charge any more.  

If your car’s battery is discharged to 0% and then charged to 100% that’s a full cycle. 

If your car’s battery is discharged to 50% then recharged to 100% that’s a half cycle. 

A battery has a limited number of cycles before it can be considered not able to hold a useful charge. 

In most cases, you won't complete a full cycle within a week of driving. 

Depth of discharge is another issue. 

Evs will never let you completely empty their batteries. 

They have a buffer installed that prevents the battery getting to really low levels. 

Most buffers might have extra kilowatt hours for safety. 

There are also add-ons you could install on your car such as heat pumps, fans for cooling. 

FAQs About Electric Cars in the UAE

How long does an EV take to charge ? 

Charging your EV depends if you're using AC or DC power. AC (Alternating Current) is what you have at home. For home charging, you can use a regular three-pin plug, but that's the slowest – about 13.8 hours to charge a 50 kWh battery. A dedicated wall box is better, charging twice as fast in about 7.1 hours. For public charging, you'll use DC (Direct Current) at rapid chargers, going from 50 kW up to 350 kW! Keep in mind, charging speed varies based on the battery's tech. Batteries charge fastest between 20% and 80%, so manufacturers often give charging times for this range, like 20-80% in about half an hour. Charging slows down above 80% to protect the battery from overcharging – think of it like carefully filling a coffee cup to the top. Smart EV drivers know to top up rather than fully charge for quick stops!

Can I make my EV use less battery power? 

Just like petrol cars measure efficiency in miles per gallon (MPG), electric cars use miles per kilowatt-hour (miles per kWh). See 3 miles/kWh on your dashboard? That means you'll go 3 miles for every kWh from the battery. Multiply that by your battery size to get your real-time range. But, EV range can be tricky! Car makers use a standard test, just like for MPG, which can be a bit optimistic. Real-world range depends on how you drive—think full carloads or uphill journeys. Even winter weather affects range. Basically, driving style matters, just like with petrol cars.

How Long Do Electric Cars Last ? 

As a rule of thumb, the latest EVs are made to last for decades. This is due to the EVs batteries longevity. 

Does an electric car have an engine? 

No, they don’t have one. Compared to petrol cars, electric cars have an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery that powers the car.

Do electric cars lose value quickly ? 

Electric cars' value are prone to losing half their value upon purchase. Some vehicles can lose up to half their value in a small period of time. 

Do electric cars use oil? 

No, they don’t as they have no IC engines, they’ve got other fluids though like brake fluid and coolants making sure the car operates in its maximum capacity. 

Are EVs too quiet? 

Evs do have noise that they are mandated to do so around 54 decibels for people to hear the car approaching. 

How long do electric cars take to charge? 

There’s no tangible figure to note. You can charge in half an hour or in a day. 

It all comes down to the battery size and charging speed. 

Final Thoughts: Is an Electric Car Right for You?

All in all, choosing whether or not to get an electric car in the UAE really comes down to your own preference and driving method. 

See, the thing is there are some serious upsides for getting an electric car. 

You're gonna save money on charging compared to petrol, like, a lot.

Alongside less maintenance and government perks for going electric. 

Environmentally speaking, it's a no-brainer due to zero or no emissions. 

However, there are potential downsides like dropping more cash upfront, range anxiety and charging time. 

If in doubt whether or not to buy an EV you should consider these questions. 

“Do you drive less than 200 km daily?” and “Do I want to save on fuel in the long run” , then it's worth considering an EV. 

Ultimately, it's about weighing the awesome perks against the few drawbacks and seeing what fits your life and driving way in the UAE. 

Ready to roll? 

If still in doubt, and don’t know what to do, we’ve got guides and articles about anything automotive. 

If you’ve made up your mind and need new tyres. 

You won’t find a better place than here. 

Like really, we’ve got 60+ brands, search locators, filters, you name it. 

So, if you need new tyres for your EV or petrol car, we’ve got loads. 

Just visit Tyresonline.ae.

Oh, did I mention we’ve got EV tyres too! 

Written by : Rageh