The UAE government has unveiled an ambitious and comprehensive plan to install over 5,000 new electric vehicle charging stations across the country by 2028, marking one of the largest infrastructure investments in the Middle East. The initiative forms a central pillar of the national clean energy strategy and represents a significant commitment to accelerating the transition to sustainable transportation.

The new charging stations will be strategically positioned along major highways connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the northern emirates, as well as in shopping centres, residential communities, office complexes, and public parking facilities. Fast-charging stations capable of delivering 350kW will be prioritized at highway locations, enabling most modern electric vehicles to charge from 10 to 80 percent in under 20 minutes.

The project will be delivered through a public-private partnership model, with major energy companies ADNOC, DEWA, and EWEC collaborating with international charging network operators. The government will provide subsidised land and reduced electricity tariffs to charging operators during the initial rollout phase to ensure competitive pricing for consumers.

Additionally, all new commercial and residential buildings in the UAE will be required to include EV charging provisions from 2027 onwards. The move is expected to significantly boost EV adoption in the region, with government projections suggesting that electric vehicles could account for 25 percent of all new car sales in the UAE by 2030. The initiative also creates an estimated 2,000 new jobs in the green energy sector.