Dubai’s Green Charger network expands rapidly to support surging EV adoption

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), mentioned that the “Green Charger” network has grown to include over 1,860 charging points spread throughout Dubai. This is part of the emirate’s effort to expand its infrastructure in response to the increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads.

In an interview with Emarat Al Youm, Al Tayer noted that the registered users of the Green Charger initiative had reached 23,600 by mid-January 2026. Since its inception in 2014, DEWA reports having supplied more than 55,200 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity through the program, which has enabled EVs to travel over 276 million kilometers. That’s quite a significant contribution to the city’s sustainable mobility efforts.

He also emphasized the broader vision behind these developments, stating: “We are working towards realizing His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum’s vision, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as a global leader in the transition towards a green economy and sustainable mobility. Among the top cities worldwide in being prepared for the future. We continue to strengthen our green transport infrastructure, supporting the UAE’s 2050 net-zero strategy and Dubai’s 2030 Green Mobility Strategy, aimed at encouraging the use of eco-friendly transportation methods. These efforts align with the emirate’s goals for sustainability, air quality, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The ongoing expansion of charging points within the “Green Charger” initiative directly responds to the surge in electric vehicles, providing users with a smooth, quick experience and reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a global destination for living, working, and visiting.”

That statement, made by Mr. Al Tayer to Emarat Al Youm, puts the expansion into the wider context of national climate goals such as the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 target and Dubai’s Green Mobility Strategy 2030.

In terms of infrastructure, DEWA offers four categories of Green Charger units: ultra-fast chargers, fast chargers, public area chargers, and wall chargers. They also highlighted how users can find charging stations throughout Dubai via the DEWA website and smart app, plus 14 other digital platforms. New users can set up a Green Charger account either on DEWA’s portal, through the app, or by calling their customer care center’s interactive voice system. Interestingly enough, vehicles can start using the chargers within an hour of registration, and there’s even a “visitor” mode that allows short-term access for drivers who aren’t registered.

Looking at recent data, these numbers build on earlier reports and show a steady upward trend. Industry reports from mid-2025, for example, revealed a 23.6% increase in charging activity year-over-year during the first three months of 2025. They also cited DEWA figures indicating roughly 39,159 MWh of electricity supplied to EVs and nearly 195 million kilometers traveled by those vehicles up to then. However, according to An-Nahar, those figures seem to cover a different reporting period than DEWA’s latest numbers, which are meant to be cumulative. The January 2026 update, therefore, suggests that both the amount of electricity supplied and the distance driven by EVs have continued to grow into late 2025 and early 2026.

Experts and industry insiders generally point out that these numbers reflect both the ongoing rollout of charging stations and increased usage per station, it’s worth noting that as EV adoption accelerates, both factors are crucial. Partnerships between government and private firms have played a big role here, with DEWA working alongside licensed charging providers, some run by public entities, others by private companies, to expand coverage and create a more resilient, accessible network.

For EV owners and fleet managers based in Dubai, this growth in charging points is really important for planning operations. A denser network eases “range anxiety,” making it easier for daily drivers, taxis, delivery vans, and corporate fleets to switch to electric power. The Green Charger program, with its combination of ultra-fast and fast chargers, aims to support both quick top-ups during urban trips and overnight charging at slower speeds.

And beyond just the hardware, there’s a clear focus on digital access and user convenience. DEWA’s claim, that drivers can be authorized to use a charger within an hour after registering, is a nod to how they’re trying to cut down administrative hurdles. Plus, the multiple digital channels for discovering charging stations are designed to make the experience seamless, integrating charging into familiar mobility apps and navigation tools.

Of course, things aren’t entirely seamless yet. Questions about utilization rates, tariffs, and the impact on the electrical grid remain. Industry data indicates that as demand concentrates during peak hours, managing distribution becomes more complex, possibly requiring grid reinforcements. DEWA has previously connected its EV initiatives to broader power system planning and will need to strike a balance between ensuring customer convenience and maintaining grid stability, all while working toward decarbonization goals.

All of this expansion aligns well with the UAE’s broader policies. Federal and emirate-level strategies aim to cut greenhouse gases and improve air quality by shifting away from fossil fuels in transportation. DEWA frames the Green Charger program as a tangible contribution toward those ambitions, highlighting both the amount of electricity delivered and the estimated reduction in kilometers driven by fossil-fuel vehicles.

As Dubai continues to position itself as an appealing hub for residents, businesses, and tourists alike, seeing the charging infrastructure grow visibly will be a key test of its claim to be “among the most future-ready cities in the world,” as Mr. Al Tayer put it. Going forward, the pressing questions for those involved in climate tech are: how fast can charging infrastructure keep up with vehicle sales? What impacts will increased EV charging have on the electricity grid? And how can operators better integrate renewable and low-carbon power sources into EV charging? It’s all happening , and the next few years will be quite revealing in how these ambitions unfold.

Source: Noah Wire Services