UAE: 70% of residents ‘strongly considering’ buying an electric car – News

Survey finds long-term cost savings, growing number of electric vehicle charging stations and awareness of the country’s infrastructure are the main reasons

Electric vehicle charging stations in Dubai. – Profile photo

A survey has revealed that a majority (70%) of UAE residents are strongly considering purchasing an electric vehicle in the future.

This is mainly due to potential cost savings, increasing number of EV charging stations, and awareness of EV infrastructure in the country.

Awareness of EVs has also been consistently high across all age groups, as well as among men and women, translating into strong purchase considerations, according to the Morning Consult survey, which was commissioned by GM.

The survey found that seven in 10 (73%) UAE consumers are eager to explore the cost savings offered by electric vehicles.

The study found that the main drivers of increased EV considerations were addressing rising gasoline costs and mitigating environmental concerns, with 64% more likely to consider EVs than a year ago, citing each as reasons for increased interest.

The survey, which collected 500 respondents online from February to March in the UAE, explores the state of consumer interest in EVs, as well as long-term cost savings associated with EV ownership, available EV options and charging infrastructure understanding.

Recently, a number of EV brands have announced their entry into the UAE, including Canada’s AXL, Sweden’s Polestar and China’s BYD, among others.

Al Futtaim Electric Mobility plans to establish nearly 3,000 charging points in the country by 2030 as the number of electric vehicles in the country increases.

The survey found that general awareness of the concept of electric vehicles is very high, with 95 percent of UAE respondents aware of fully electric vehicles.

Jack Uppal, president and managing director of GM Africa and the Middle East, said it was hopeful to see rising positive sentiment towards electric vehicles in the UAE.

“As we move toward our vision of the future of mobility, we expect the increase in the number and variety of electric vehicle options to be brought to market will respond to shifts in consumer awareness and considerations of the long-term benefits of ownership — from a focus on affordability to and range concerns, to positive sentiment about the potential for ownership of these new technologies,” he said.

The survey found that more than a third (38%) of respondents in the UAE know the location of at least one convenient charging station. Four in five (8%) who are aware of convenient charging stations say they have one where they park their car at home, with the highest availability reported in public car parks or shared private car parks.

The UAE already has 600 charging points and plans to increase significantly by 2050.

– waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com