Dubai Municipality launches an initiative to install 600 electric charging stations with an investment of 150 million dirhams

Dubai, March 3, 2017 (WAM) – Dubai Municipality has launched a new initiative to install high-speed charging stations for electric vehicles in 600 parking lots within parks, public beaches, and recreational facilities, with a planned investment of AED 150 million, in partnership with the Emirates Company for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (UAEV).

This initiative confirms the municipality’s commitment to developing future public spaces that support sustainability and promote the adoption of healthier and more sustainable lifestyles that positively impact the quality of life of the emirate’s residents.

This initiative comes in line with the objectives of the afforestation and parks strategy 2040 and contributes to enhancing the role of public spaces as a key enabler of the city’s sustainable transportation system.

Integrating electric vehicle charging infrastructure into popular leisure destinations supports easy access to sustainable transportation solutions as well as improving the overall visitor experience.

The project is being implemented in integration with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which contributes to enhancing the participation of the private sector in developing sustainable urban infrastructure.

This partnership with the Emirates Company for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (UAEV) reflects Dubai Municipality’s commitment to benefiting from the private sector’s expertise, innovations and investments to provide advanced, future-ready public services.

The first phase of the initiative includes the installation of 75 high-speed charging stations within 150 parking lots over the next two years, and the charging infrastructure will be distributed in a thoughtful manner across the main parks, neighborhood parks, and public beaches, ensuring the provision of integrated and easy-to-access charging facilities within the network of public spaces in Dubai.

Implementation focuses on achieving a wide geographical spread, covering communities and vital sites with high density, to serve residents and visitors alike.

His Excellency Engineer Sherif Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Company UAEV, expressed his pride in partnering with Dubai Municipality to expand access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a number of vital community destinations, including parks, markets and public facilities.

He said that by integrating charging solutions in vital locations frequented by community members, we are working to make sustainable mobility easier and more available for everyone.

He added that this partnership reflects our joint commitment to supporting the UAE’s ambitions in the field of green mobility and enhancing the quality of life.

Badr Anwahi, Executive Director of the Public Utilities Corporation at Dubai Municipality, said: “This initiative reflects Dubai Municipality’s commitment to developing the structure of public spaces to be an integrated and future-ready environment that supports changing lifestyles and the requirements of sustainable mobility. By providing infrastructure for charging electric vehicles in parks and beaches, we enable community members and visitors to adopt more sustainable options within their daily routine while enhancing the quality and ease of access to public facilities in the emirate. This enhances our efforts in developing comprehensive and attractive facilities in accordance with the highest standards of sustainable urban design and planning. We are committed to strengthening partnerships. The strategy to integrate technology, sustainability, and excellence in service provision within public spaces to ensure long-term operational efficiency, a positive environmental impact, and an advanced user experience.”

Ali Al Darwish, acting CEO of the Emirates Company for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, said: “This partnership with Dubai Municipality allows the Emirates Company for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations UAEV to support the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles in a way that enhances the growth of this vital sector and the shift towards sustainable mobility that serves the directions of future cities that support sustainability.”

This project is part of the goals of the Emirates Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Company in support of the transformative project “A Global Market for Electric Vehicles,” which aims to support the shift towards using the green transportation system and increase the number of electric vehicles in the country to become 50% of their total number by 2050, which in turn contributes to achieving the goals of the UAE Strategy for Climate Neutrality by 2050 and the goals of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.

This initiative reflects a broader shift in the concept of designing and managing public spaces, which are no longer limited to being merely entertainment destinations, but have become smart and sustainable environments that support modern patterns of transportation and enhance the quality of life and environmentally responsible behaviors.

By integrating electric vehicle infrastructure into parks and beaches, Dubai Municipality is redefining these spaces as essential components of the future urban city system, where the fields of entertainment, sustainability, and mobility intersect in an integrated experience.

Visitors will be able to charge their vehicles while enjoying outdoor activities, sports, family events, children’s play areas, swimming and coastal walking paths, making sustainable choices easier and more in harmony with the details of daily life.

The project contributes to supporting Dubai’s broader ambitions to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce carbon emissions in line with national and local strategies related to the transition towards clean energy, developing smart infrastructure, and enhancing the ability to adapt to climate change.

Dubai Municipality continues to call on private sector partners, operators, investors and innovation-based companies to cooperate in shaping the next generation of public infrastructure, confirming its continued commitment to investing in innovative solutions that ensure that public spaces in the emirate remain comprehensive, accessible and sustainable destinations for current and future generations.

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