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As the EV market experiences significant growth, the real estate sector is swiftly gearing up to provide the necessary infrastructure. REM Times delves into the unfolding landscape.
August 25, 2023 | Megha S Anthony | UAE | Community Management
In pursuit of a more sustainable and eco-conscious future, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has embarked on an ambitious journey towards eco-friendly practices. Central to this effort is the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), a pivotal force shaping the landscape of transportation, especially in the emirate of Dubai.
As part of its commitment, the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure (MOEI) has laid out a comprehensive Electric Vehicle Policy, aiming to establish 914 AC and DC charging stations for electric vehicles by the close of 2023. Additionally, the ministry envisions an EV GCC Corridor, uniting countries through fast charging stations along borders, easing cross-border EV travel.
The MOEI's forward-looking policy extends further, with the goal of making 50% of the UAE's car fleet electric vehicles by 2050, while allocating 25% to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). This vision is accompanied by plans to transition buses to 70% electric and 15% plug-in hybrids, redefining public transport. Even trucks are not left behind, with the aspiration of achieving 10% PHEVs and 40% hybrid trucks, supplementing the overall push towards cleaner transportation.
REM Times explores the insights of prominent developers, community management experts, and EV charging infrastructure providers, offering a closer look at Dubai's dynamic journey towards sustainable mobility.
Union Properties: Pioneering Sustainable Communities
In its unwavering commitment to sustainability, the UAE is embracing EVs as a defining aspect of its transportation evolution with the nation transitioning toward a greener future.
Union Properties PJSC has aligned its efforts with the UAE’s vision for sustainability, empowering and supporting EV users within their communities. It intends to install EV charging stations across its developments to support EV users and advance green mobility in the UAE. This proactive approach strongly demonstrates its commitment to promoting electric mobility, reducing carbon footprints, and supporting the UAE's sustainable transportation agenda, thereby contributing to shaping a sustainable future.
Furthermore, EDACOM, a subsidiary of Union Properties, is assisting in this transformation. One of its innovative approaches involves enabling residents to install EV chargers adjacent to their designated parking spaces, drawing power directly from their apartment units. This empowers individuals to contribute to the growth of electric mobility in a personalised and convenient manner. Union Properties is currently conducting a thorough assessment of the charging points within the UTM Residential and Terrace Apartments Motor City, which echoes its tangible commitment to meeting the needs of EV users in multiple settings.
Omar Alsuwaidi, Head of Technical Services at Dubai Community Management, sheds light on their proactive approach to integrating EV charging infrastructure within communities. “To meet the increasing demand for EV charging infrastructure, we listen to our customers' needs, and collaborate closely with both public and private entities to establish a comprehensive network of charging stations across our communities,” he explains.
Their customer-centric approach is evident in the variety of charging solutions they offer, tailored to each property's unique needs. Individual chargers are permitted, along with strategically placed public charging stations in master communities. “In instances where it is feasible, we allow our customers to install individual chargers, provided they also install a submeter to compensate for the electricity usage from the common areas accurately. In master communities, we provide public charging stations for both residential and commercial jointly-owned properties. These strategically installed stations are easily accessible to facilitate charging for residents who do not have private charging facilities,” says Omar.
The commitment to maintenance, customer service, and cost-effective strategies demonstrates the company’s dedication to supporting electric mobility within its managed communities. “Our dedicated team ensures regular inspections and maintenance to keep the charging stations operational at all times. Additionally, we prioritise seamless communication and responsiveness to promptly address any issues or concerns raised by residents regarding the charging facilities,” he adds.
The Dubai Community Management maintains an open communication channel. Residents' concerns or requests regarding EV charging facilities are promptly addressed through multiple channels. “Our 24-hour help desk is available to receive inquiries, and our website also serves as an online platform to submit requests conveniently. Moreover, our dedicated employees stationed at community management offices in various communities are readily available to assist residents in person,” notes Omar.
When an infrastructure project requires capital investment, the company adheres to the provisions outlined in Law 06 of 2019. Such projects become an opportunity for discussion and voting by the Jointly Owned Property (JOP) committees to include them in the budgets. “In cases where service providers offer options to invest in the capital costs and recover the expenses through long-term plans based on service consumption and usage, we consider these alternatives to ensure a sustainable and beneficial charging infrastructure for the community,” he adds.
Vinay Premachandran, Sales Director of Powertech Mobility, articulates the company's pivotal role in developing and installing EV charging infrastructure in the UAE. Powertech Mobility works with businesses that want to add charging infrastructure to their properties by adopting a consultative approach that seeks to optimise the use of available spare power at the facility and avoidance of cost escalations through oversizing the design of the infrastructure. “Understanding the client’s requirement from an application’s point of view helps us design the infrastructure that meets their charging needs in the long run,” says Vinay Premachandran.
Adapting to evolving consumer and business demands, they offer consultative solutions that optimise infrastructure design, ensuring long-term reliability and efficiency. “Consumer demands for EV charging points at the doorstep have gone up. Powertech Mobility is able to fulfil this through both the traditional approach of installing a charger in their homes and also a pioneering new concept of bringing mobile fast-charging solutions to their doorstep,” he explains.
Their forward-looking strategy for scaling up charging infrastructure considers sustainable power solutions and dynamic load management to ensure a harmonious equilibrium between power supply and charging demands.
In a nutshell, Dubai's commitment to sustainable mobility is embodied in the collaborative efforts of developers, community managers, and charging infrastructure providers. The proliferation of EV charging stations, both public and residential, showcases the city's dedication to shaping a greener future while ensuring convenience and accessibility for electric vehicle users. As the UAE accelerates towards its vision of sustainability, the charging infrastructure landscape evolves, underpinning a future where electric mobility is not just a trend, but a way of life.
