Engineer Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, confirmed that the UAE has taken the lead in the region in electric and hybrid vehicle sales for the year 2024; a reflection of the country’s progress in shifting toward low-emission transportation.
Speaking at the opening of the 4th edition of the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Al Olama announced that the ministry, in partnership with Bee’ah, is establishing the region’s first facility dedicated to recycling electric and hybrid vehicle batteries. This initiative supports the UAE’s commitment to the circular economy and reducing the environmental footprint of mobility systems.
Al Olama highlighted that the ministry has launched several landmark initiatives to support the shift to green mobility, such as the National Electric Vehicle Policy, a national guide for EV charging stations, and a bidirectional charging guide. He also referenced the launch of UAEV, a company formed in partnership with the Federal Electricity and Water Authority to develop a nationwide EV charging network.
He emphasized that these initiatives are part of the UAE’s broader sustainability vision, which places environmental responsibility at the heart of national strategy. This includes the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative, and the National Program for Demand Management of Energy and Water. He described the transport sector as a key enabler in achieving the country’s goals for carbon emission reduction by 2050.
Engineer Naser Ali Al Bahri, CEO of Nirvana Exhibitions and Conferences, described EVIS as a leading platform for knowledge exchange and partnership-building between the public and private sectors to accelerate the transition to sustainability across the region and beyond. He noted that what makes EVIS Abu Dhabi unique is its ability to bring together all elements of the ecosystem—from cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure to policymakers and end users—in a single space.
The 2024 edition of EVIS saw the unveiling of new technologies and the signing of strategic partnerships that reflect the sector’s rapid growth. Among the event highlights was the debut of Xpeng UAE’s innovative electric flying taxi model. The exhibition also featured live driving zones for electric vehicles, the “E-Circuit” showcasing live e-bike and e-scooter demonstrations, the “Charging Oasis” dedicated to the latest in EV infrastructure, and the “Business Networking Zone,” which offered a space for industry leaders to connect and form partnerships.
The event also hosted a high-level conference featuring prominent speakers and decision-makers who explored strategic topics related to the future of mobility, energy, and sustainability, further establishing the UAE as a global hub for innovation in sustainable transport.