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United Arab Emirates

UAE transport emissions to reach 12 million tonnes CO2 by 2050 without faster EV uptake, study warns

By Eve

Researchers from the University of Sharjah told the 12th World Congress on New Technologies that UAE transport emissions will fall from 17 million tonnes of CO2 annually today to 12 million tonnes by 2050, but continuous fleet growth will prevent deeper decarbonisation needed for the country's net zero target. The UAE added 390,000 registered vehicles in a year to reach 4.56 million total, driven by population growth. The study recommends stricter measures including financial incentives to retire internal combustion engine vehicles early and expanded charging infrastructure.

Why it matters

The findings signal that UAE policymakers may introduce stronger EV mandates and infrastructure investment requirements, creating procurement opportunities for charge point operators and equipment suppliers. Early retirement schemes for petrol vehicles could accelerate fleet electrification timelines and boost demand for public and workplace charging networks.

Source

Original title
“How the UAE can amp up its electric vehicle drive to meet 2050 net-zero target”
Published
2 October 2026
Updated
3 October 2026

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