UAE Launches Global EV Market

An electric car displayed by Dubai Police during the Arabian Travel Market exhibition earlier in May (WAM)
An electric car displayed by Dubai Police during the Arabian Travel Market exhibition earlier in May (WAM)
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UAE Launches Global EV Market

An electric car displayed by Dubai Police during the Arabian Travel Market exhibition earlier in May (WAM)
An electric car displayed by Dubai Police during the Arabian Travel Market exhibition earlier in May (WAM)

The UAE launched the Global EV Market, a transformational project under the performance agreements signed by federal authorities, which enhances its competitiveness in a sector that is one of the future transformational projects.

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail al-Mazrouei, said the new market comprises a comprehensive plan and an ambitious national program to integrate the energy and infrastructure sectors and align the work of federal and local government entities and private sector businesses.

- National roadmap

The minister explained that the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) launched the UAE Roadmap for Electric Vehicles as a comprehensive action plan that involves developing guides and policies.

The roadmap offers government incentives and sets ambitious strategies to integrate the work of federal and local government entities and the private sector to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in the UAE.

MoEI also launched the National Platform for Electric Vehicles' Chargers, a mobile app to link users and a guide for installing electric vehicle charging stations to unify their specifications nationwide and align them with world-class standards.

"We seek to create a conducive environment for the growth of the EV market in the UAE through policy levers for investment and socio-economic and environmental incentive schemes. To support the shift to green mobility, we aim to increase the share of EVs to 50% of total vehicles on our roads by 2050."

- Agreements

The Ministry signed several cooperation agreements to support the Global EV Market transformational project, through which the partners would cooperate to create incentives for people to own EVs.

They also aim to facilitate investment in the UAE network of electric vehicle charging stations and install them across federal buildings and roads and MoEI's truck rest stops.

The private sector partners will play a key role in promoting EVs.

They will invest in establishing EV charging stations and operating them, and setting up EV service centers across the country to offer dedicated services to EV owners.

- 700 EV chargers

For his part, the Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs at MoEI, Hassan al-Mansouri, indicated that the project includes a national interactive platform that provides more than 700 EV chargers nationwide.

Furthermore, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, Sharif al-Olama, said the UAE has clear targets for the transport sector, including the green mobility program, which aims to increase the share of electric cars and electric buses and create a mix of options for trucks.

It aims to reduce energy consumption by 40 percent by 2050, per the objectives of the transport sector's National Demand Side Management Program.

According to unofficial data, the number of electric vehicles in the UAE has reached more than 5,100, and it aims to reach 42,000 EVs by 2030.



Yemen Minister: We Aim to Invest in Lithium Reserves for Renewable Energy

Yemeni Oil and Minerals Minister Saeed Al-Shammasi
Yemeni Oil and Minerals Minister Saeed Al-Shammasi
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Yemen Minister: We Aim to Invest in Lithium Reserves for Renewable Energy

Yemeni Oil and Minerals Minister Saeed Al-Shammasi
Yemeni Oil and Minerals Minister Saeed Al-Shammasi

Yemen has reserves of lithium, a key mineral for battery and electric vehicle production, according to preliminary studies, Oil and Minerals Minister Saeed Al-Shammasi said.

The findings underscore the urgent need for investment and infrastructure development.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Fourth International Ministerial Meeting at the International Mining Conference in Riyadh on Tuesday, Al-Shammasi revealed that the initial studies identified lithium reserves, a critical component in the production of batteries and solar panels.

“We also have copper reserves, but they require significant investment and infrastructure development,” he added.

Al-Shammasi said he met with Saudi Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Alkhorayef to explore collaboration opportunities with investors in the Kingdom.

He also announced a forthcoming meeting with the head of Saudi Arabia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss joint projects.

“Recently, a Saudi-Yemeni Business Council was established to support the creation of joint ventures across various sectors,” he noted.

Al-Shammasi also highlighted the importance of the event, which builds on discussions from its previous edition. He said three new initiatives were introduced, focusing on investment in critical minerals essential for energy industries.

“These minerals will play a major role in the global energy landscape over the next 50 years, as countries seek to reduce dependence on oil,” Al-Shammasi said, emphasizing the need for investments and supportive legislation from resource-rich nations.

He stressed the importance of advanced technologies in modern mining and praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts, including the establishment of new research centers in the field.

Al-Shammasi further noted that the mining industry is helping reduce environmental pollution by leveraging alternative energy sources and critical minerals, aligning with the global shift away from traditional raw materials in sectors such as battery production and electric vehicles.