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2023/05/15
Owning an electric car is great! It saves you considerably on gasoline and reduces your carbon imprint on the atmosphere. Sadly, one major challenge many EV drivers face is finding places to charge. With the popularity of electric cars still rising, the number of charging options available is less than the number of gas stations.
Nevertheless, knowing where to charge your EV is essential to prevent being stranded with a flat battery in Dubai. So, keep reading as we elaborate on the benefits of electric cars, what charging options you have, and other critical questions you may have when rent electric car.
Buying or renting an EV comes with several benefits over regular gasoline vehicles. Some of these benefits of EVs include:
Low maintenance: With the electric motors in EVs, it means there are fewer moving parts. As such, you won’t have to worry about frequent engine maintenance or oil changes.
Cost-effective: Recharging an electric car battery is considerably cheaper than buying petrol. As such, you get more value for your money by travelling more distance on an EV than spending the same amount on gas.
Environmentally friendly: When you drive an EV, it reduces CO2 emissions considerably. As an EV car owner, you are protecting the environment.
Government incentives: As an electro car driver, you receive exclusive benefits from the government to promote electric vehicle adoption.
Dubai is at a fast pace moving towards building a more sustainable future, hence the rise in the demand for EVs. As such, the city is investing in developing several EV infrastructures, including charging stations. As an EV driver, you can feel more confident knowing that several charging options are available in Dubai. Of the various charging options offered in Dubai, there are two primary choices that every driver should familiarize themselves with: charging at home or charging at a DEWA Green charging station.
Charging your electric car at home is the most convenient option. You can install your EV charger to recharge whenever you’re home. This charging option works for everyone, whether all you do is city driving or cover long distances.
Recharging your EV battery at home gives you a boost for the day to get to your destination without worrying about having a flat battery mid-road. When installing the charger behind your meter, your consumption will be charged to your DEWA monthly bill at the standard residential rate.
Yet another unique option at your disposal for charging your electric vehicle in Dubai is the DEWA Green Charger initiative. This project is one of Dubai’s attempts to make the city smart and green. In 2015, the DEWA initiative developed and installed up to 100 EV Green Chargers in frequently accessed areas across the city. Since then, the network has expanded, with over 325 charging stations across Dubai.
Recharging at a DEWA station comes with several perks, but first, there are certain things you need to know about the DEWA EV Green Charger services.
This station does not operate 24/7. If you use its chargers, you must plan with its operation timing. This charging station operates between 07:30 AM to 12:00 AM every day. This limitation may seem inconvenient for some EV drivers.
Also, EV drivers interested in using the DEWA EV Green Charging station must own a card. This card allows the DEWA to charge you for your monthly consumption. New EV drivers can quickly request the service card by registering on the DEWA website.
Registering on the DEWA website is pretty straightforward. Having an account with DEWA as an EV driver is critical to better track your charging and consumption through the DEWA’s smart app or website.
Registering an account to request a new service card, a replacement, or deactivation is expedient. After registration, it may take up to 3 working days to verify your card.
To obtain a DEWA service card, all you require are your Emirate ID, driver's license, and Mulkiya, with the caveat that the name on your identification should match for a smooth registration experience. A distinctive feature of the registration process is the payment of a refundable security deposit of 500 AED.
In the case of an issue such as a damaged or lost service card, you can report it to the DEWA authority for quick support. You can contact DEWA on their support line at 04 601 9999 for an immediate response. You can also contact HAYAK service for cases like this or email [email protected].
The DEWA charging station features a QR code motorists can scan when at any charging station across the emirate. This service makes it easy for users to check the code via their DEWA Smart App to charge their EV.
Notably, the DEWA offers a diverse range of EV charging stations, with four distinct types available across the city:
This particular charger is a prevalent option for electric vehicles, offering double Type 2 sockets and two 22kW AC power. Utilizing the public charger, you can achieve a complete charge within a span of 2 to 4 hours, varying according to the specifications of your vehicle and the capacity of its battery.
The fast or ultra-fast chargers are another charger from DEWA often installed in petrol stations across Dubai. With this charger, you can get up to 80% charge in about 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your vehicle type and battery capacity.
Incorporating a solitary Type 2 socket accompanied by 22 kW AC power, the wall box charger offers a distinct charging solution for electric vehicles. Renowned for its widespread usage, this charger efficiently delivers a complete charge within 2 to 4 hours, contingent upon your vehicle's specific battery capacity and model.
The DEWA EV Green Charging station is one of many EV charging stations, providing up to 375 charging stations. The Tesla charging station also accounts for about 75 charging stations. In conjunction with many privately owned EV charging stations, the number of available charging stations continues to rise, surpassing 620 and still increasing.
There are hundreds of charging stations you can use in Dubai. But most EV drivers prefer to use the DEWA charging stations because of their widespread stations, electronic platforms, and affordability.
Generally, most charging stations are user-friendly. But if you need clarification at any EV Green Charging station, you can contact DEWA on their customer support hotline. You can also do the same in other charging stations like Tesla.
The timeframe to get a full charge on an electric car depends on a few factors. For example, car type and battery capacity influence the charging duration. Also, the type of charging station you use can affect the charging duration. But in most cases, it can take anywhere between 2 and 4 hours to charge an EV battery fully.
Getting an EV Green Charging Card is as easy as creating an account on the DEWA website. Opening a DEWA account in Dubai is online, and if you meet all its requirements, your card will be sent to you in no time.
Opting for home charging for your EV incurs higher costs than utilizing DEWA or other charging stations. Moreover, the pricing structure for recharging your EV varies across different types of stations, ranging from government-owned facilities to private establishments. However, the average cost typically ranges from approximately 6 AED to around 50 AED.
You can find different types of electric vehicles in the UAE, including battery, plug-in hybrid, and extended range. And these vehicles come equipped with several up-to-date technologies for your driving pleasure.
Yes, recharging an EV with solar panels in Dubai is possible. Although if the panel does not generate enough electricity to power the EV and household, you can draw the additional electricity needed from the grid.