UAEV to launch country's first electric vehicle charging hub this year
22 Apr 2025 00:17
MAYS IBRAHIM and SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Emarat EV Charging Stations Company (UAEV) is set to launch the country's first electric vehicle charging hub this year as part of an expansion plan that seeks to double its network and boost operations with artificial intelligence, the firm's CEO Hicham Ezzahid told Aletihad on Monday.UAEV's fast-growing network — already present in all seven emirates — will double its footprint this year, pushing beyond 300 charging ports, most of them ultra-fast, Ezzahid added in the interview held on the sidelines of the fourth Electric Vehicles Innovation Summit (EVIS 2025). The event kicked off on Monday and runs until April 23 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).'Last year, we deployed over 120 charging ports across various regions, majority of which were high-speed. This year, our goal is to at least double that figure, adding more than 200 ports by the end of 2025,' Ezzahid said.'Since each charger can have multiple ports and each port can serve one vehicle, the total network capacity will exceed 300 ports. That's our minimum commitment; though we hope to surpass it as we continue to expand and serve the growing EV community.'UAEV is working towards building a high-speed charging network across all seven emirates, according to Ezzahid.'Our vision is to have at least 1,000 high-speed charging stations by 2030,' he added. 'While we initially deployed some AC chargers in response to demand in offices and specific destinations, the majority of our future deployments will focus on high-speed chargers.'Nationwide CoverageEzzahid noted that the focus in 2024 was on the northern emirates, including Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Dibba, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. This year, UAEV plans to accelerate deployment in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to ensure full nationwide coverage.Across the UAE, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, has also been putting up EV charging stations to encourage more car owners to go green.'We have achieved our goal of installing 104 electric vehicle charging stations across the country, with a greater focus on the Northern Emirates. This year, we plan to instal 500 chargers, based on demand. Currently, we have identified around 100 areas with high demand for chargers, and the plan is expanding,' Sharif Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs in the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, told Aletihad.He also highlighted strategic collaborations, including partnerships with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, to instal chargers at mosque. The ministry has also been in talks with Emarat - Emirates Petroleum Company to set up more chargers across the UAE."In Ras Al Khaimah, we have signed an exclusive contract for chargers. We are building an EV hub in Ajman, the first of its kind, with 20 DC chargers. Our expansion is underway in seven emirates, and we plan to build more hubs across the country,' Al Olama said.By ensuring the availability of chargers across the country, UAE authorities seek to encourage a shift to EVs.'Our main contribution is on the infrastructure side. We are ensuring there's a wide, fast, and reliable charging network. This makes EV ownership more convenient, even for people who commute between cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Add to that our strong customer service and operational monitoring, and it's a full package of support,' Ezzahid said.Tapping AIFor UAEV, serving customers goes beyond providing charging ports‚ providing necessary support round the clock is essential, too, said Ezzahid.'When you call our customer service, you won't be greeted by an automated menu. You'll speak to a live person right away,' he said. 'We believe that if someone calls for help, they need it quickly, without delays.'UAEV leverages data along with the latest technology to continuously improve its services, he added.'We're currently experimenting with AI, and we have several internal prototypes running, with plans to launch them later this year or early next year.'These include an AI-powered WhatsApp customer service agent that allows users to send both written and voice messages and receive responses in their preferred language.UAEV also uses AI for proactive monitoring, allowing the system to detect issues early, alert the team, and even reach out to customers before problems escalate, Ezzahid said.Cutting EmissionsOn sustainability efforts, Ezzahid shared that since its launch in May 2024, UAEV has already made a measurable impact.
'As of January 11, 2025, we have helped reduce 315 tonnes of CO2 emissions. It is just the beginning. By 2030, we estimate reaching 100,000 tonnes of CO2 reductions."
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