DEWA EV Green Charger: Dubai's EV Charging Network 2025

Dubai's EV Power Play: Mastering the DEWA Green Charger

May 10, 2025

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Discover Dubai

Transport & Mobility in Dubai

Future of Mobility

Dubai is racing ahead, transforming itself into a global benchmark for sustainable transport and smart city living

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. At the forefront of this electric revolution is the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (DEWA) EV Green Charger initiative, the backbone of the emirate's public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure

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. This network isn't just about plugging in; it's about powering a greener future and making EV ownership a practical reality for everyone in Dubai

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. Stick around as we explore how this network started, how it works, what it costs, and what's next for EV charging in this dynamic city

What is the DEWA EV Green Charger Initiative?

Think back to 2014/2015 – DEWA was already laying the groundwork, launching the region's very first public EV charging network with an initial 100 stations

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. The core mission? To encourage drivers to switch to electric and directly support Dubai's ambitious strategic goals, like the Dubai Plan 2021, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and the Green Mobility Strategy 2030

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. It's all part of the bigger picture: making Dubai one of the smartest, happiest, and most sustainable cities on the planet

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. From those first 100 stations, the network has exploded, managed intelligently through DEWA's sophisticated Charge Point Management System (CPMS)

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. This initiative is fundamental to Dubai's green mobility push, providing the essential juice for the growing fleet of EVs

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The Scale of the Network: Growth and Reach

The growth has been nothing short of impressive. By late 2023 and early 2024, the network boasted over 400 stations equipped with around 740 charging points

. This expansion mirrors the surge in EV adoption; registered Green Charger users jumped from a mere 14 in 2015 to a staggering 16,828 by December 2024

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. Overall EV ownership in Dubai has also soared, exceeding 34,970 vehicles by October 2024

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. It's clear people are embracing electric mobility, with Green Charger usage seeing a significant 59% jump in 2023 alone

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. You'll find these crucial charging stations strategically placed across the emirate – think shopping malls, petrol stations, public parking areas, residential communities, and even along major highways

Understanding DEWA Charger Types

Navigating the world of EV charging means understanding the basics: AC (Alternating Current) versus DC (Direct Current)

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. AC charging is what you typically get from the grid; your car converts it to DC to charge the battery, which is slower

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. DC chargers do the conversion before the power reaches your car, allowing for much faster charging speeds

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. DEWA offers several types to suit different needs:

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Wall Box (AC): These are often found at home or work, delivering 22kW via a Type 2 socket

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. They're perfect for overnight charging, taking roughly 3-8 hours for a full charge depending on the specific power (7.4kW vs 22kW) and your car's battery

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Public Charger (AC): Commonly seen in public areas like malls or parks, these usually offer two 22kW Type 2 sockets

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. They provide a moderate charge, typically taking 2-4 hours – great for a top-up while you're out and about

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Fast Charger (AC/DC): Found in high-traffic spots like petrol stations, these offer either 43kW AC (Type 2 socket) or 50kW DC (CHAdeMO or CCS sockets)

. The DC option can get your battery up to 80% in just 20-60 minutes, making them ideal for quicker stops

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Ultra-Fast Charger (DC): These powerhouses deliver 150kW or more via Type 2/CCS sockets

. Located at strategic hubs, they offer the quickest charge, potentially hitting 80% in 20-30 minutes – perfect for long journeys

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How to Access and Use DEWA Green Chargers

Getting connected to the DEWA network is pretty straightforward, whether you're a resident or just visiting

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. Here’s how it works:

Registration (EV Green Charger Card/Account):

If you own an EV in Dubai, you can register for an EV Green Charger account

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. Often, if your car is registered with the RTA, DEWA automatically creates an account for you and sends activation details

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. If not, you can easily register manually via the DEWA website or Smart App (using your DEWA ID or UAE Pass), the DubaiNow app, or even by visiting a DEWA Customer Happiness Centre

. You'll need your Emirates ID and vehicle license

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. There's a refundable AED 500 security deposit (waived for government entities) and a small AED 20 + VAT fee for the card itself

. Once registered, your Green Charger card usually arrives by courier within three days

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Charging Steps:

For registered users, find a station using an app like DEWA's

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. Scan your card or use the app to start the charger, plug in your car, and let it charge

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. When you're done, scan your card or use the app again to stop the session and unplug

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. Easy peasy.

Guest users have it simple too. Just scan the QR code on the charger with your phone or the DEWA app (select 'proceed as guest')

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. Follow the prompts, select how long you want to charge, pay the estimated amount (which is held temporarily), and plug in

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. Charging stops automatically after your selected time, and you're billed for the actual energy used

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Charging Costs and Payment Methods

Let's talk money. Since September 30, 2024, DEWA uses a clear per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) tariff for registered users, making costs transparent

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. Here’s the breakdown:

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AC Charging (Public/Wall Box): AED 0.70 per kWh + VAT

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DC Charging (Fast/Ultra-Fast): AED 1.20 per kWh + VAT

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For registered users, these charges conveniently appear on your monthly DEWA utility bill

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. Guest users pay upfront via the QR code interface when they start charging

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. It's worth remembering that the initial incentive period of free public charging ended back on December 31, 2021

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. Keep in mind, public charging, especially the faster DC options, costs more per kWh than charging your EV at home using your standard residential electricity rate

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Finding DEWA Charging Stations

Locating a DEWA Green Charger is simple. Your best tools are the DEWA Smart App and the DEWA website, which show station locations, charger types, and crucially, real-time availability

. You can also use the DubaiNow app or popular third-party apps like PlugShare, ElectroMaps, Google Maps, and Apple Maps to find your nearest charging spot

. No more guessing if a charger is free!

Essential EV Charging Etiquette in Dubai

Using public chargers comes with a few unspoken (and sometimes spoken!) rules to keep things running smoothly for everyone. Think of it as good EV karma:

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Charge Only: These spots are for charging, not parking. Don't park your petrol car here (that's called "ICEing"), and even if you have an EV, only park if you're actually charging

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Move When Done: Once your car has enough juice or is fully charged, please move it so someone else can plug in, especially at busy fast chargers

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Don't Hog: Aim for an 80% charge at public stations if people are waiting; getting that last 20% takes much longer anyway

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. DEWA suggests a 2-hour courtesy limit

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Respect Queues: Never unplug someone else's car while it's charging

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Tidy Up: Coil the cable neatly back onto the holder when you're finished

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Home Charging: The Convenient Alternative

While the public network is great, charging at home is often the most convenient and cheapest way to keep your EV topped up

. You'll need DEWA's approval before installing a home charger (usually a Wall Box), and the installation must be done by a DEWA-certified contractor

. Expect installation costs to range roughly from AED 2,000 to over AED 5,000, depending on the charger and your home's wiring

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. The electricity used just gets added to your regular DEWA bill at standard residential rates

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The Road Ahead: Future Expansion and Grid Integration

DEWA isn't slowing down. The goal is to hit 1,000 Green Charger stations across Dubai by 2025 – a massive expansion

. This includes adding more fast and ultra-fast chargers and filling coverage gaps, partly through partnerships like the one with Parkin to install chargers in public parking areas

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. This expansion is vital to support the UAE's goal of having 50% EVs on the road by 2050 and the RTA's plan to electrify its entire taxi and bus fleet

. Managing all this extra demand requires a smart grid, and DEWA is investing heavily in technologies like smart charging and even exploring Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities to ensure grid stability