The UAE has secured top position among Gulf markets and 22nd place globally in electric mobility readiness, according to Arthur D. Little's Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX) 2026, which scored the country at 53 points.
Electric vehicles made up roughly 9 percent of new vehicle sales in the UAE during 2025. Battery electric vehicles accounted for about 6 to 8 percent of that figure, while plug-in hybrids contributed approximately 2.5 percent.
Charging infrastructure across the country has grown to nearly 2,800 points, including around 1,250 direct-current chargers and 350 high-power units, supporting the shift toward wider EV adoption.
The UAE has set a national target for electric and hybrid vehicles to make up half of all vehicles on its roads by 2050. Dubai has its own goal, aiming for EVs to exceed 15 percent of its fleet by 2030.
GEMRIX 2026 evaluated 31 markets across five dimensions, including macroeconomic conditions, EV market competition, customer readiness, charging infrastructure and total cost of ownership alongside regulation. China led the global rankings with 106 points, followed by Norway at 103, the only two markets to surpass the 100-point mark signalling parity between EV and combustion vehicle readiness. Singapore and the Netherlands followed with 96 and 90 points respectively.
Joseph Salem, Partner and Middle East Lead for Arthur D. Little's Travel, Transportation and Hospitality practice, said the ranking reflects growing momentum in the UAE's EV market and a clear push toward an integrated ecosystem. He noted that sustained investment in charging infrastructure and long-term sustainability goals underscore the need to align infrastructure, vehicle supply and customer demand.
Alexander Krug, Partner in the firm's Automotive and Manufacturing Goods practice, said the pace and pathway of electric mobility transition will vary by market, with those building integrated ecosystems best placed to seize emerging opportunities early.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
