With the growing debate around the topics of global warming and climate change, authorities around the world are looking towards the modes of utilities that don’t require burning of the fossil fuels or the machinery producing carbon emissions. One such utility is the sector of transportation.
Focus on electric vehicles to curb the challenges arising due to carbon emissions is very high around the globe. Many governments supporting its benefits, are emphasizing on bringing their nations to increase the use of electric vehicles rather than the ones requiring combustible fuel by introducing and providing facilities, low-cost vehicle options, subsidies to the manufacturers and citizens friendly policies, etc.
The same step is taken by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) to facilitate people in adopting the electric vehicles over the usual fuel-run vehicles. DEWA’s new EV Green Charger initiative provides a network of electric vehicle chargers across Dubai. This initiative supports Dubai’s efforts to provide innovative and sustainable transport solutions as part of the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030, thus contributing towards carbon emission reduction in the transportation sector. DEWA’s continuous development of this initiative and the launch of its free-charging incentive have increased the number of registered electric vehicles in Dubai.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, highlighted DEWA’s commitment to achieving the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world, and consolidate Dubai’s position as a global capital for green economy and sustainable development. DEWA harnesses the latest Fourth Industrial Revolution applications and disruptive technologies to achieve the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy, aiming to reduce 16% of carbon emissions by 2021. Dubai has surpassed the targets of this strategy two years ahead of its time by reducing 22% of carbon emissions in 2019.
DEWA is also supporting Dubai to achieve Directive Number 2 of 2020, to increase the number of electric and hybrid vehicles in the government fleet by providing charging solutions across the Emirate and procuring electric vehicles as part of its fleet. Till the end of February 2021, Dubai saw the number of registered electric vehicles within the Emirate increase to 2,473 electric vehicles and 6,016 hybrid vehicles. This brings a total of 8,489 green vehicles registered in Dubai. The number of electric vehicles in Dubai’s government organizations was 258 vehicles, while the number of hybrids has reached 2,653 with 3,210 customers benefiting from the EV Green Charger initiative till 31 March 2021.
DEWA provides added value to its smart services based on the latest world-class technologies. DEWA has developed the EV Green Charger initiative for the comfort of its customers and to raise awareness of sustainable modes of mobility.
Blockchain
DEWA has enabled its customers to obtain all transactions including EV Green Charger registration, charging, billing, and settlement on a trusted blockchain ecosystem. DEWA collaborates with other organizations to establish a unified national EV charging blockchain network that connects all public and private partners to enable access to information via a unified highly secure network.
Charging vehicles through the smart app
EV customers registered in the EV Green Charger initiative can charge their electric vehicles using DEWA’s smart app by scanning a QR code at DEWA’s charging stations, for a card-less customer experience. They can also charge their vehicles using the EV Green Charger card.
Patent for universal charging system for electric vehicles
Researchers at DEWA’s Innovation Centre have registered a new patent for a universal smart charging system that consists of a single cable and a plug, whether they use AC or DC charging. The charging station’s design is also user-friendly and a one-stop point for all types of electric vehicles, as it automatically adapts the plug and the charging to the vehicle’s requirement.
Incentives to promote green mobility
To further support electric vehicle adoption, DEWA is providing free charging for non-commercial EV customers registered in the EV Green Charger Initiative until December 31st, 2021. This incentive is exclusively available at public charging stations and not home charging stations. Commercial registered customers such as organizations, governmental and semi-governmental organizations pay 29 fils for every kilowatt-hour. The RTA has also provided electric vehicles incentives, including free parking, reduced electric vehicle registration fees, and exemption from the Salik tag fee.
EV charging stations
DEWA has successfully installed about 300 charging stations across Dubai, including within the region of Hatta. DEWA has installed three stations within Hatta which are located at the DEWA Customer Happiness Centre- Hatta, an ENOC Petrol station, and at the Hatta Public Library. DEWA has also installed two charging stations at the offices of Expo Dubai with plans to install 15 more stations at the Opportunity, Sustainability, and Mobility pavilions to cater for electric vehicle owners visiting Expo Dubai.
Customers can accurately locate DEWA charging stations through its website and smart app as well as through a variety of digital map platforms like Google Maps, Apple Maps, Foursquare, Factual, What3Words, and 2GIS; ride-share platforms like Careem; car navigation maps such as TomTom and Here Maps; as well as dedicated charging station platforms like Plugshare, Electromaps, and Yellowmaps.
DEWA launched a program, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to regularly disinfect its EV Green Chargers located at petrol stations across Dubai, in collaboration with ENOC and ADNOC, as part of the National Disinfection Programme. It supported DEWA’s efforts to ensure the health and safety of all members of society by undertaking all precautionary measures against COVID-19.
7-star Benchmarking Proficiency Certificate
DEWA received the 7-star Benchmarking Proficiency Certificate, which is a part of the ‘We Learn’ initiative organized by Dubai Government Excellence. The certificate was for DEWA’s Green Charger 2.0 project to develop a new prototype for an electric car charger that provides a unique customer experience and applies international best practices. This charger uses Artificial Intelligence in its license-plate-recognition system that identifies the electric vehicle details. Once recognized, the charger can identify the most suitable cable.
It is highly believed that this policy will bring in the much needed shift in the EV landscape of Dubai, pitching in it’s required part in the resolve against climate change and prove to be the revolutionary breakthrough for such climate/people friendly policies that are going to be written in coming times.