Electric vehicle adoption in the UAE is accelerating from a low base, driven by federal and emirate-level incentives, expanding charging infrastructure, and shifting consumer preferences. The UAE Green Mobility Strategy targets EVs comprising a significant share of new vehicle registrations by 2030, contributing to the broader Net Zero 2050 decarbonisation agenda. This tracker monitors registration volumes, market penetration, and infrastructure readiness.
EV Registration Volumes
| Year | New EV Registrations | Total EV Fleet | EV Share of New Sales | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,840 | 6,200 | 0.9% | — |
| 2022 | 5,190 | 11,390 | 1.6% | +82.7% |
| 2023 | 9,420 | 20,810 | 2.8% | +81.5% |
| 2024 | 16,350 | 37,160 | 4.6% | +73.6% |
| 2025 | 24,800 (est.) | 61,960 (est.) | 6.8% (est.) | +51.7% |
Market Composition
Tesla dominates the UAE EV market with an estimated 42 per cent share of new registrations in 2024, followed by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, BYD, and Audi. Chinese manufacturers, particularly BYD and NIO, have gained ground rapidly, offering competitive pricing that broadens EV accessibility beyond the premium segment.
| Brand | 2024 Share of New EV Registrations | Segment |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 42% | Premium |
| BMW | 14% | Premium |
| Mercedes-Benz | 11% | Premium |
| BYD | 10% | Mass-market |
| Audi | 7% | Premium |
| Other | 16% | Mixed |
Charging Infrastructure Deployment
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public charging points | 680 | 1,240 | 2,180 | 3,400 |
| DC fast chargers | 180 | 370 | 720 | 1,200 |
| EVs per public charger | 16.8 | 16.8 | 17.0 | 18.2 |
Dubai’s DEWA Green Charger network and Abu Dhabi’s ChargeNow programme anchor the public charging rollout. The ratio of EVs to public chargers has remained broadly stable despite rapid fleet growth, indicating that infrastructure deployment is keeping pace with adoption. Home charging, estimated to serve 70 per cent of daily EV charging demand, remains the primary charging mode.
Policy and Incentive Framework
Abu Dhabi offers reduced registration fees, free public parking, and discounted Salik toll rates for registered EVs. Dubai provides free DEWA charging at public stations through select programmes and has mandated EV-ready parking infrastructure in new developments. Federal customs duty exemption on imported EVs was extended through 2027, maintaining a price advantage over comparable internal combustion models.
Barriers to Adoption
Despite rapid growth, several structural barriers constrain EV penetration. The UAE’s climate presents battery performance challenges, with extreme summer temperatures reducing range by an estimated 15-25 per cent. The absence of a domestic EV manufacturing base means full import dependence. Residual value uncertainty for used EVs affects leasing economics, particularly in a market where vehicle turnover rates are high.
Outlook
If current growth trajectories hold, EV share of new vehicle sales could reach 12-15 per cent by 2028 and 20-25 per cent by 2031. Achieving the upper range depends on continued infrastructure expansion, the entry of more affordable EV models, and sustained policy incentives. The introduction of vehicle emission standards or congestion-based pricing would accelerate adoption beyond current projections.
Current Assessment: Ahead of Trajectory — growth rates exceed initial projections, though base remains small.