His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, officially announced the groundbreaking project "Global Market for Electric Vehicles" during the second edition of the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS) in Abu Dhabi. This transformational initiative stands as a cornerstone among the major national projects planned for the upcoming stage.
The project serves as a crucial catalyst in the UAE government's relentless pursuit to expedite the attainment of a highly dynamic and competitive economy, aligned with the overarching vision of "We Are the Emirates 2031." It embodies the UAE's resolute commitment to forging an interconnected and technologically superior infrastructure, while also solidifying its position as a global epicenter for the emerging new economy.
Speaking about the project, Al Mazrouei emphasized its objective of qualifying the UAE's infrastructure to efficiently accommodate and embrace electric vehicles, thereby positioning the UAE as a leading global market for this transformative mode of transportation. Notably, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has already embarked on developing a comprehensive national map for the electric vehicle charging network. The ultimate goal is to establish an integrated charger network, seamlessly connecting all emirates. In furtherance of this aim, the Ministry has successfully launched a national platform and a user-friendly phone application. Additionally, a national guide for installing charging stations has been implemented to ensure standardized specifications across all emirates, conforming to international benchmarks.
In staunch support of the project's objectives, the Ministry has forged strategic collaborations with notable entities including Etihad Water and Electricity Company (EtihadWE), Beeah Company, and the American University of Sharjah, as well as renowned electric vehicle manufacturers. The primary focus of these partnerships lies in fostering an investment-friendly environment within the national charging station network, while simultaneously providing ample opportunities for the wider community to embrace electric vehicles.
Elaborating on the vision, Al Mazrouei asserted, "We are steadfast in our commitment to developing flexible and stimulating policies and laws that propel the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. We wholeheartedly encourage investment in this field, particularly from the private sector. Our aim is to cultivate an incubating environment characterized by a harmonious blend of economic viability, environmental sustainability, and social progress, all of which serve as key driving factors. We strive to increase the number of electric vehicles in the UAE to constitute at least 50% of the total fleet by 2050."
Eng. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), has reaffirmed the company's commitment to actively participate in the transformational project, "Global Market for Electric Vehicles." Through its ongoing initiative to establish electric vehicle chargers in the northern regions, EtihadWE aims to play a crucial role in this national endeavor. Al Ali emphasized that the company will align its plans with the national project's objectives by redesigning the map for new charging stations, updating implementation specifications based on project guidelines, and fostering strategic collaborations with both governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in the project. Furthermore, EtihadWE aims to attract private sector investments in the chargers network and its associated services.
Al Ali expressed his sincere appreciation for the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure's tireless efforts in planning, managing, and expediting the implementation of the "Global Market for Electric Vehicles" project. He underscored that this project will yield tangible positive outcomes, reflecting the vision of the leadership in various areas, including but not limited to energy sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, promoting climate neutrality, environmental sustainability, striking a balance between economic needs and environmental goals, as well as bolstering the foundation of smart and sustainable transportation. EtihadWE stands ready to contribute significantly to the realization of these objectives.