UAE's Electric Car Boom: What's Driving It?

The United Arab Emirates has become one of the leading regions for the spread of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Middle East. A recent survey indicates that more than half of the residents here – precisely 52 percent – have already purchased or rented an electric car, mainly due to lower maintenance and operating costs. This trend not only saves money but also makes these vehicles increasingly attractive from an environmental and technological standpoint.

What's driving the popularity?

The study highlighted three primary factors fueling the growing demand for electric vehicles:

Lower operating costs: Charging electric cars is significantly cheaper than fueling traditional vehicles, and maintenance costs are lower due to fewer moving parts.

Environmental consciousness: A growing number of residents are thinking long-term about the planet's future and are striving to reduce their ecological footprint.

Technological advantages: Next-generation electric cars are equipped with advanced, intelligent systems offering numerous comfort and safety features.

Dubai's charging network: A regional example

The development of charging infrastructure is a crucial factor in the spread of electric cars. Dubai is leading the way in this regard: by August 2025, more than 1,270 public charging stations have been established across various parts of the city. On October 1st, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) signed a new agreement with the Enoc Group, aimed at installing fast chargers across fuel stations, further strengthening the future-proof infrastructure.

Such developments not only cater to existing electric car owners but also encourage those considering the transition.

Leading in sales too

According to the EV Charging Index 2025 published by Roland Berger, the UAE holds a leading position in electric vehicle sales within the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. In 2024, nearly 24,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles were sold in the country. In comparison, sales in Saudi Arabia grew tenfold during the same period, rising to 11,000 units.

These figures clearly show that the demand for electric vehicles is no longer driven solely by early adopters' curiosity, but is increasingly enjoying mass acceptance.

Charging habits and infrastructure usage

Interestingly, charging habits differ from country to country. In Saudi Arabia, 62 percent of vehicle owners have their own home charging unit, whereas this rate is somewhat lower in the UAE, but here, semi-public, shared charging points play a significant role: 33 percent of residents regularly use this type of access.

This shows that in the UAE, infrastructure development prioritizes not just individual but also community solutions. Shared chargers are available in many residential buildings, office complexes, or shopping malls.

Satisfaction indicators: UAE among the global leaders

The study also touched on user satisfaction, with results painting a quite positive picture. 95 percent of respondents in the UAE are completely satisfied with the charging experience – a higher ratio than in the United States (91%) or Europe (89%).

This is partly due to the proactive and state-supported development of infrastructure and services in the UAE.

Forward-looking attitude

According to the Roland Berger survey, owners of electric cars in the UAE are not only satisfied with their current choice but also extremely open to future EV purchases. 94 percent of respondents owning an EV indicated that their next car would also be electric, placing the country among world leaders in this aspect, only surpassed by China with 99 percent.

Conclusion

The spread of electric cars in the UAE is not merely a fashion trend but a conscious, well-thought-out response to the challenges of future mobility and environmental protection. Dubai's rapid expansion of its charging network, favorable usage costs, and high satisfaction levels all contribute to the country's leading position in the region – and increasingly set an example for other nations.

As EV offerings grow and prices become more competitive, the spread of electric mobility in the UAE is expected to accelerate. The key question in the coming years will be how infrastructure can keep up with increasing demand, and how to further increase public trust in electric vehicles.

(The article is based on a study published by Roland Berger.)