{
  "id": 11502141,
  "title": "How the UAE can amp up its electric vehicle drive to meet 2050 net-zero target",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/how-the-uae-can-amp-up-its-electric-vehicle-drive-to-meet-2050-net",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-02T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/weekend/2026/10/02/how-the-uae-can-amp-up-its-electric-vehicle-drive-to-meet-2050-net-zero-target/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study has revealed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) must accelerate its efforts to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) if it is to achieve its 2050 net-zero carbon emissions target. The research, presented at the 12th World Congress on New Technologies in London, highlights that without a significant increase in EV adoption, transport emissions in the UAE could reach 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by mid-century. While this is a substantial improvement from the estimated 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year equivalent to current emissions, it falls short of deep decarbonisation due to the continuous growth of the vehicle fleet size.\n\nPopulation growth has led to an increase in the number of vehicles on the UAE's roads, with 390,000 new vehicles registered in 2025, bringing the total to 4.56 million. EV sales in the UAE have remained modest, with 11,700 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sold in 2025, accounting for 3.4% of the 345,000 new vehicles sold. However, there was an increase in sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles to 1,100.\n\nTo meet its targets, the UAE could consider stricter measures, such as financial incentives for retiring internal combustion engine vehicles early, expanding charging infrastructure, and offering financial incentives for EV purchases. Experts suggest that EVs should ideally make up 90% of vehicles on the road by 2050, with the transition accelerated through schemes encouraging the retirement of internal combustion engine vehicles.\n\nCharging infrastructure, affordable registration fees, road toll exemptions, and preferential loans for green vehicles could hasten the shift towards EVs. However, practical concerns, such as the availability of charging stations along longer routes and the upfront cost of EVs, remain barriers to adoption. Experts believe that growing the charging network and reducing the price of EVs are key to encouraging EV sales in the UAE.",
  "summary": "The UAE needs to redouble efforts to encourage the transition to electric vehicles if it is to reach its 2050 net-zero target, a study has found. Researchers say rapid growth in the number of vehicles on the road will make it more difficult for the country to realise its key carbon-reduction goals . In a new study presented at the 12th World Congress on New Technologies last month in London,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "How the UAE can amp up its electric vehicle drive to meet 2050 net-zero target",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/how-the-uae-can-amp-up-its-electric-vehicle-drive-to-meet-2050-net-11505443",
        "published": "2026-10-02T18:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}