Dh1,000 fine for drivers doing this in Dubai

Dubai: Owners of petrol or diesel-powered vehicles who occupy parking slots clearly earmarked for electric vehicles (EVs) could be slapped a Dh1,000 fine in Dubai, an official said.

The move forms part of a raft of incentives to encourage wider adoption of renewable transport. Specifically, Dubai aims to help raise the share of EV sales to 2 per cent by 2020 and by 10 per cent by 2030.

Sign for free parking slots for electric vehicles. Photo: Ahmed Ramzan

There are about 220 free parking slots already reserved for electric vehicles (EVs) across Dubai this 2018, a Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official earlier confirmed to Gulf News.

There will more such parking slots marked for EVs in the Dubai, the official said, adding that any misuse will come with a fine of Dh1,000.

The official said that as part of the programme that encourages green vehicle ownership, all of Dubai's paid-parking zones would have free parking slots for EVs, too.

Parking slots for "green" vehicles in Dubai. Photo: Ahmed Ramzan

Two phases

Implemented in two phases, the first phase has already seen 70 EV parking slots at several locations, including Shaikh Zayed Road.

And, to prevent motorists from misusing the facilities, EV parking slots are clearly marked.

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Besides rolling out hybrid vehicles and Teslas as taxis (200 Teslas planned to join Dubai Taxi fleet), Dubai also has an electric public transport bus on trial.

In January, Abu Dhabi has also unveiled the UAE's first locally-made battery electric bus, which has a range of 150km on a full charge.

Abu Dhabi's 'EcoBus' prototype has a 150-km range on a full charge. It was jointly developed by Masdar and Abu Dhabi-based Hafilat Industry in collaboration with the Masdar Institute, part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology. Photo: WAM

DEWA estimates that Dubai will have around 32,000 EVs by 2020, including 10 per cent of all Dubai government’s fleet of vehicles.

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At a federal level, the Emirates Authority for Standaridisation and Metrology (ESMA) recently issued the EV regulation that standardises the sale and operation of EVs in the country.

EV incentives
BY THE NUMBERS

Free parking: 220 EV parking slots 
 
Free charging: In September 2017, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced that registered EV users will be able to have their vehicles charged by Dewa’s charging stations completely free until the end of 2019.

100 charging stations: Current number of Dewa charging stations at various locations in the Emirate as part of Green Car Initiative

100 new charging stations: New charging stations are planned across Dubai by the end of 2018

50: Number of charging stations planned in the Northern Emirates to promote the wider use of EVs.

Free: registration and annual renewal fees for electric vehicle 

Free: Salik tag and a licence plate sticker identifying the vehicle as an EV 

20%: Dubai taxis that are hybrid vehicles

50%: target set by the RTA to convert the city’s taxi fleet to eco-friendly vehicles by 2021.