UAE Public EV Charging Network Hits 1,500 Stations Milestone
Priya Mehta·16 April 2026·5 min read
DEWA, ADNOC and new entrant ChargePoint have collectively pushed UAE public chargers past 1,500 for the first time — with DC fast chargers now at 380 locations.
The UAE's electric vehicle infrastructure has reached a significant milestone: 1,527 public charging points are now operational across all seven emirates, according to figures released by the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure in March 2026. Of those, 380 are DC fast chargers rated at 50 kW or above — a figure that has tripled since 2023.
Dubai accounts for the largest share via DEWA's EV Green Charger initiative, which has installed chargers at malls, metro stations, residential complexes and highway rest stops. Abu Dhabi's contribution comes primarily through ADNOC Distribution, which added 84 chargers at petrol stations in 2025 alone.
What We Know
The milestone is significant for UAE EV buyers because range anxiety — the primary concern cited by car buyers considering an electric vehicle — now has a credible answer on major UAE corridors.
The Dubai–Abu Dhabi E11 corridor has 22 public fast-charge points; the Dubai–Al Ain E66 route has 14. The Dubai–Fujairah E311 corridor, historically underserved, now has 8 points following DEWA expansion in Q4 2025.
Tesla's Supercharger network, which operates separately from the public infrastructure, adds a further 43 stations across the UAE as of Q1 2026.
ChargePoint, the US-based operator, entered the UAE market in late 2025 and has deployed 120 AC chargers at mixed-use developments in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Its app integrates with the existing infrastructure.
DEWA EV Green Charger: Free Until End of 2026
DEWA confirmed in February 2026 that its EV Green Charger network remains free for non-commercial passenger vehicles until 31 December 2026, after which pricing will be announced. The Ministry has indicated per-kWh billing will replace flat-rate access.
Speed Distribution
- DC Fast (50–350 kW): 380 stations — predominantly at major malls and highway points
- AC Level 2 (7–22 kW): 1,147 stations — residential, workplace and secondary locations
Key Numbers
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total public chargers | 1,527 |
| DC fast chargers | 380 |
| DEWA-operated | 804 |
| ADNOC-operated | 348 |
| Tesla Supercharger stations | 43 |
| ChargePoint (new) | 120 |
| Planned additions (2026) | 600+ |
What This Means for Buyers
For prospective EV buyers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the infrastructure argument has largely been resolved. If you live in either city, park at a mall or work at an office building, the likelihood of finding a compatible charger is high.
The Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain corridors remain thinner — EV buyers travelling regularly to the Northern Emirates should still plan charging stops. A Tesla with Supercharger access remains the safest choice for UAE-wide coverage.
The shift away from free charging, expected in 2027, means the economics of EV ownership will change. Buyers considering an EV now should factor in future per-kWh costs. UAE electricity tariffs suggest AED 0.08–0.23 per kWh is likely — still far cheaper than petrol.
The Bigger Picture
The UAE's charging push is part of the National EV Policy adopted in 2023, which targeted 50,000 EVs on UAE roads by 2025. That figure was surpassed in Q3 2025, according to Ministry data, with the majority being Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Saudi Arabia has announced a competing initiative with 5,000 chargers by 2030. The UAE's density advantage — 1,527 stations for a country of 84,000 km² — remains well ahead of regional peers.
Globally, comparable small nations like the Netherlands (64,000+ public points) show how much further the UAE's infrastructure can grow.
What Happens Next
The Ministry of Energy has confirmed a target of 2,200 public charging points by end of 2026, with at least 600 new units to be installed in H2 2026. DEWA will release per-kWh pricing for 2027 by October 2026.
ChargePoint has announced plans to deploy a further 200 AC chargers at residential projects by Q3 2026.
CarsXT will update this article as new station data becomes available. See our full EV buying guide for the best electric cars to charge at these stations.