Dubai has launched the first of its 16 'electric charging stations' here, allowing motorists to charge their eco-friendly vehicles for a fee.
Each station can accommodate two vehicles at the same time. A total of 100 charging stations for hybrid and electric vehicles will be launched by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) by the end of this year.
A complete charge will take between two to eight hours depending upon the vehicle. Fast charging stations that take 30 minutes will be available by the end of this year.
One can charge his or her electric hybrid vehicle for USD 2.
A Dubai owner could travel 100 kilometres by shelling out 6.16 dirhams (USD 1.68), based on the published mileage of the fully electric Nissan Leaf or Tesla which on an average use 21.25 kilowatt-hour per 100 kilometres, depending upon the vehicles and driving conditions.
As part of the 'Smart Dubai' initiative, the stations were launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Dubai's Ruler.
"This station is an important step towards achieving the objectives of the sustainable smart city and transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world," Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA said.
"It also supports the Dubai Plan 2021 and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 to establish Dubai as a global hub for trade, finance, tourism, and sustainability, and a global role model of the highest standards of energy efficiency.
"Currently, DEWA is implementing three main initiatives which include connecting solar energy to houses and buildings, smart applications through smart meters and grids, and the infrastructure for vehicle charging stations," he said.
"The inauguration of the first electric vehicle charging station in Dubai is a momentous occasion for Dubai and we were honoured to be present with the BMW i3, the first electric car that has zero emissions," said Stathis Stathis, Managing Director of Arabian Gulf Mechanical Centre, the importer for BMW Group in Dubai.
