If you’ve recently switched to an electric vehicle (EV) or you’re thinking about getting one, you might be wondering exactly how to charge your EV in UAE. Fortunately, charging your electric car in the UAE is simple thanks to the country’s fast-growing network of public EV chargers and handy mobile apps. Whether you prefer charging at home overnight or need to top up at a public charging station in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or other emirates, this guide covers all you need to know.
In short, there are two main ways to charge your EV in the UAE:
- Home EV charging: This involves installing your own charger at home, usually in your garage or parking spot.
- Public EV charging: You can use public charging stations across the country, either free or paid, using convenient apps or payment cards.
Let me break down everything about home and public charging, give you the lowdown on EV charging stations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the northern emirates, and introduce the best electric car charging apps in the UAE.
Home EV Charging UAE – The Simplest Option
Charging your EV at home is the easiest, cheapest, and most convenient option for daily use. Just plug in your car every night, and you wake up with a full battery every morning. Many EV drivers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates set up their home chargers right in their garages or parking spots.
How Home Charging Works
When you charge at home, you use standard electricity from your house, which costs much less per kilowatt-hour (kWh) compared to public chargers. Typically, home charging costs around AED 0.30–0.50 per kWh, while public chargers usually charge AED 0.70 to AED 1.20 per kWh.
You’ll need a wall-mounted charger for faster charging (Level 2 charging). These chargers usually range between 7 kW to 22 kW, meaning you can fully charge your battery overnight. Local providers like Charge2Moov by Al-Futtaim offer complete packages, including installation.
Setting Up Your Home Charger
To install a home charger, you’ll need a qualified electrician. For apartments, you might need permission from your building management. Thankfully, many new developments now offer shared charging points to attract environmentally conscious tenants.
Home charging is also gentle on your battery. Slow, consistent charging overnight helps your battery last longer compared to frequent rapid charging.
Public EV Chargers UAE – When You’re On-the-Go
Even though home charging is ideal, you’ll still need public chargers occasionally, especially on longer trips. Luckily, the UAE offers many public EV charging stations across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates. Here’s how public charging works, emirate by emirate.
EV Charging Stations Dubai – DEWA Green Charger Network
Dubai leads the way in public EV chargers, thanks to DEWA’s EV Green Charger initiative. As of 2025, there are over 740 charging points across more than 300 locations around Dubai, including malls, petrol stations, parking garages, and even airports.
DEWA’s stations offer both fast DC chargers (50 kW+) that charge your battery rapidly, and slower AC chargers (22 kW) perfect for topping up while shopping or dining.
To use DEWA stations, you need the DEWA Smart App, where you register for an EV account. You simply park, connect your car, and start charging from the app. Charging costs AED 0.70 per kWh for AC chargers and AED 1.20 per kWh for fast DC chargers (plus 5% VAT). Previously free, DEWA introduced fees in January 2025, but charging remains cheaper than petrol.
Read More: UAE Government Announces New EV Charging Subsidy
Are There Still Free Chargers in Dubai?
While most DEWA chargers are paid, you might still find free EV chargers at some malls, hotels, or private businesses. Always check the PlugShare app to see real-time user reports of free stations.
Abu Dhabi EV Chargers – ADNOC & E2GO Network
In Abu Dhabi, ADNOC Distribution leads public EV charging through its partnership with E2GO. ADNOC has installed 100+ charging points by 2025, mostly at its petrol stations, with plans for 500 chargers by 2028.
Like Dubai, Abu Dhabi chargers cost AED 0.70 per kWh (AC) and AED 1.20 per kWh (DC fast chargers). You can use ADNOC’s existing mobile app to find, start, and pay for your charging sessions.
Free Charging in Abu Dhabi?
Initially, Abu Dhabi offered some free EV chargers (for example, at Yas Mall or Masdar City). Although free charging stations are becoming rare, you might still find a few complimentary chargers at select hotels or attractions.
EV Charging Stations Sharjah & Northern Emirates
Sharjah is rapidly expanding its public EV chargers, with partnerships between Sharjah Municipality, SEWA, and Bee’ah’s ION. You can find EV chargers at City Centre Sharjah, government offices, and major highways.
In Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), Ajman, and Fujairah, the charging infrastructure is slowly growing. RAK is partnering with the national operator UAEV, aiming for widespread coverage soon. These smaller emirates still have limited stations, so planning ahead is recommended. Always check apps to confirm charger availability.
EV Charging Costs – Paid vs Free Charging UAE
Here’s a quick table comparing charging costs in the UAE as of 2025:
| Charging Type | Cost per kWh (AED) | Typical Full Charge (60 kWh Battery) |
| Home AC Charging | 0.30–0.50 | AED 18–30 |
| Public AC Charging | 0.70 | AED 42 |
| Public DC Fast Charging | 1.20 | AED 72 |
While most public chargers now charge fees, occasional free chargers still exist, usually at malls or hotels. Use PlugShare app reviews to find these hidden gems.
Best Electric Car Charging Apps UAE – Make Charging Easy
Mobile apps make charging your EV simpler by helping you find chargers, start charging sessions, and even handle payments. Here are the best electric car charging apps in the UAE:
- DEWA Smart App: Essential in Dubai for finding and using DEWA chargers. It shows availability, charger types, and allows direct payment.
- ADNOC Distribution App: Best for Abu Dhabi. ADNOC’s app integrates EV chargers at their petrol stations, offers Plug & Charge technology, and easy payments.
- PlugShare: A global, community-driven app ideal for locating chargers across all emirates. It shows user reviews, charger availability, and fees (including free stations).
- Tesla App/Navigation: Essential for Tesla drivers, showing Tesla Supercharger locations, availability, and direct payments. Combine with PlugShare for third-party chargers.
- ION App: Useful in Sharjah and for fast-charging stations operated by ION. Offers quick payments and charger availability.
- Regeny App: A new player simplifying EV charging in Dubai and UAE, providing real-time charger availability and reservation features.
Use a combination of these apps—DEWA in Dubai, ADNOC in Abu Dhabi, and PlugShare everywhere—to always know exactly where and how to charge.
Mobile EV Charging Dubai – A New Option
An emerging solution is mobile EV charging—companies bring portable charging units directly to your car, ideal if you’re stranded without nearby chargers. Companies like CAFU and Volt offer these services in Dubai and might expand further across the UAE soon. While currently limited, this is an exciting future option making EV ownership even simpler.
Check: EVs Available in the UAE in 2025 – Full List
Charging Your EV in UAE is Easier Than Ever
Learning how to charge your EV in UAE is simple once you know the basics. Home charging is ideal for daily use, while extensive public EV charging stations across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and beyond support longer trips or occasional top-ups.
Although free charging stations are becoming rare, charging remains affordable compared to petrol. Reliable apps like DEWA, ADNOC, PlugShare, and Regeny make finding chargers quick and painless.
With continued government support and growing infrastructure, charging your EV in UAE is convenient and getting better every year. Embrace electric driving confidently—knowing that keeping your EV charged in UAE has never been easier!
