Electric vehicle (EV) owners in the UAE are facing a change in charging costs that could add hundreds of dirhams to their monthly expenses, depending on their usage and the type of charging station they use. The UAE Cabinet has introduced a unified pricing structure for public EV charging services, effective 60 days after the announcement, potentially starting September 6.
Under the new pricing, express charging will cost a minimum of Dh1.20 plus VAT per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while slow charging will be at least Dh0.70 plus VAT per kWh. This new structure replaces the previous system where rates varied significantly, with some stations offering free charging.
The intention behind this fee adjustment is to streamline charging costs across the country and improve accessibility to EV chargers. This move is expected to reduce congestion at high-demand superchargers and promote the use of renewable energy. “The new fee structure aims to standardise the cost of charging EVs across public charging stations,” says UAE national Huda Al Hashmi.
Residents are curious if this fee will apply to private charging stations like Tesla’s superchargers, which currently offer free charging incentives. While it remains unclear whether private infrastructures will be affected, the new fees will likely impact public charging services.
Some drivers see the new rates as a reasonable adjustment. Palestinian resident Sajida Alam notes that while users may pay slightly more, the cost remains lower than traditional fuels. Tesla owner Vyomika Agarwal highlights the advantage of home charging, noting that other users often occupy superchargers.
Overall, the revised fees aim to improve the efficiency of EV charging networks and support the broader adoption of electric vehicles in the UAE.
