Given the hike in fuel prices and the general interest in greener technology, the demand for electric vehicles (EV) has increased to a great extent. The UAE government has taken many initiatives that could encourage motorists to adopt EVs. Following suit, the government has also implemented regulations for electric cars that EV manufacturers, traders and organisations installing charging stations have to follow.
Today, we will go through the government regulations for electric vehicles to understand everything about using and owning EVs in the UAE.
UAE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
The UAE electric vehicle regulations apply to EVs with a maximum GVW of less than 3500 kg. Also, these regulations serve as a guideline for maintaining or repairing an EV that met an accident, as well as standards to follow at an EV workstation.
Let’s get a detailed overview of the electric car regulations implemented by the UAE government.
EV PERFORMANCE
As per the UAE electric vehicle regulations, all EVs have to undergo a performance test. The test is carried out by the technical service department to evaluate the electric energy consumption of the EV. The test is conducted according to the government regulations for electric vehicles’ method and standardised test cycle. The approved range after the test can be included in the EV manufacturer’s sales promotional material.
Moreover, the electric energy consumption of the model must be listed in Watt-hours per kilometre (Wh/km), and the range should also be in kilometres (km). The figures should be rounded off to the closest whole number.
Here’s how the technical service department decides on a particular number after the test:
- The value of electric energy consumption of the EV should not be more than the one defined by the manufacturer. If the test result value is 4% higher then the technical service department performs another test on the same EV model.
- If the average energy consumption value from the first and second tests is not higher than 4% of the value listed by the manufacturer, then as per the UAE electric car regulation, the manufacturer’s defined value will be approved.
- In case the average of the two results is still 4% higher than the manufacturer’s defined value, the third and final will be conducted by the technical service department. The average value of all three test results will be approved, and the manufacturer can use this number in the EV’s sales promotional material.
TEST CONDITIONS AS PER UAE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
EV CONDITION
Certain conditions should be met before the model is tested. Here detailed are the UAE electric vehicle regulations on the condition of the EV:
- Electric car tyres should be inflated as per the manufacturer’s stated pressure level at the ambient temperature.
- Only those lights and devices should be switched on at the time of testing, and all the other light-signalling, lighting and secondary devices should be turned off.
- All the energy storage systems in the EV should be charged up to the level standardised by the EV maker.
- If the EV batteries only operate more than the ambient temperature, then to operate the batteries in the normal range, the testing department should follow the EV maker’s recommended procedure.
- The EV maker representative should ensure that the battery’s thermal management system has not been altered or has been disabled.
- The EV should have completed a minimum 300 km ahead of the test with the batteries installed. A 7-day duration is provided to ensure that the EV has been driven for the said kilometres.
- For testing electric energy consumption, the EV should have all the electrical car performance labels. Also, the performance values should be set as per the standards defined by the EV makers and for outdoor tests the EV should be able to perform at a 45 C temperature.
- All the tests are to be performed on the responsibility of the EV manufacturer.
TEST METHODS
The range and energy consumption value of the EV is tested as per the ISO 8714 methods.
EMIRATES CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT SCHEME (ECAS)
According to the UAE electric car regulations, all the EVs have to be registered under the ECAS. Also, all the EV makers and traders have to obtain a conformity certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology for smooth entry of EV models in the UAE market. The conformity certificate verifies that the EV model complies with the ECAS’s requirements.
The EV models should also comply with the following ECAS regulations:
- EV makers have to fill out the declaration form provided by the authority.
- The electric car model must have the performance star tag.
- All the EVs should have a defined set of safety procedures to follow in order to keep the people safe working/servicing the vehicle as well as from voltage shocks and current. Also, the traction system should be disabled to make the EV safe.
The electric vehicle manufacturer and traders can apply for the conformity certificate from the official Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s website.
Here is the list of documents to be submitted with the conformity certificate application:
- Companies in the UAE must submit a valid trade licence
- Test report from accredited EV test facility as per the UAE government regulations for electric vehicles
- Distributor ownership (traders only)
- EV performance tag
- Storage location layout for the EV
- Certificate of conformity for EV workstation under the regulation no. (61) year 2019
- Electromagnetic compatibility EMC
CONFORMITY CERTIFICATE FEES
The applicant has to pay AED 8,600 that includes AED 500 certificate fee, AED 600 application fee and AED 7,500 document review fee.
EV MAKER RESPONSIBILITY AS PER UAE ELECTRIC VEHICLE REGULATIONS
There a few things that EV makers need to take care of, as defined by the government regulations for electric vehicles:
- All the EV manufacturers should create a manual listing all the warnings and risks to ensure vehicle’s safe use. For instance, here’s how the warnings should be mentioned:
- Don’t touch a damaged orange 400 V cable or 400 V component, as it may burn your hand or cause electrocution.
- A damaged traction battery may cause a fire. To prevent the risk of fire, it is mandatory to place the EV with damaged battery in a safe storage location under supervision.
- Civil defence departments should be given complete training by the manufacturers and dealers and provide the following:
- Procedure for an EV under impact while charging
- Procedure for an EV on fire that must include the list of protective gears and equipment as well as the hazards. Also, the procedure to extinguish it.
- Instructions on high voltage areas in the EV as well as prohibited and recommended areas for cutting to free passengers.
- Procedure to follow in case the traction battery leaks electrolyte.
- The EV manufacturer or its dealer must set up one workshop for the vehicle’s timely maintenance and repair services.
- As mentioned earlier, all EVs should have a non-removable electric car performance tag, placed at a visible location.
UAE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES’ WORKSTATION
STAFF REQUIREMENTS AT EV WORKSTATIONS
All the staff at the electric vehicle workstations should be given comprehensive training on safety rules. The training will make them well aware of the electrical hazards that may occur when working on an EV. Also, they will know the preventive measures to be taken.
The staff at the EV workstation should be provided with appropriate clothes, depending on the conditions they need to work in. Also, in some cases they may be required to wear a comfortably fitted dress or personal protective equipment (PPE).
According to UAE electric vehicle regulations, trained staff can also brief potential customers on the ownership and use of an EV.
Furthermore, staff at the EV workstation should be classified under the following categories as per the regulations:
QUALIFIED PERSON
A qualified person could be an EV battery specialist or technician well-trained to perform all the repair and maintenance-related tasks. They should be experienced and knowledgeable to determine electrical risks and prevent major hazards.
INFORMED PERSON
An informed person is also qualified with relevant knowledge and experience but in a different genre. They could be mechanical technicians or service technicians, who can repair and maintain vehicles, other than electrical and battery repair and maintenance.
ORDINARY PERSON
The staff members in this category could be a service advisor or sale executive and not responsible for any sort of repair and maintenance.
Besides, it is worthwhile to note that all workstations should have at least one qualified person.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR EV WORKSTATION AS PER ELECTRIC CAR REGULATIONS
- Complete and clear instructions to be provided on using the lockout system prior to working on the high voltage system and on moving EVs damaged in an accident.
- The employer should provide and maintain the PPE for all the staff members.
- All the staff members should wear complete protection gear when working in the orange zone, i.e. when removing battery or lockout.
- Collection Protection Equipment (CPE) should be provided at the workstation for insulation and battery repair area.
- A dedicated space should be provided at the workstation for the staff members to work on high-voltage system repairs. The space should have a warning sign with a warning ‘Danger zone, high voltage working area.’
REGULATIONS FOR HANDLING EVS THAT MET AN ACCIDENT
Here are some electric car regulations by the UAE government that workstations needs to follow in handling EVs that met an accident:
- Lockout vehicle prior to repair if there is no structural damage and the battery as well as high voltage wiring is in perfect condition. However, in either case the staff should lockout the EV and should be assessed to ensure safety by the qualified person. The qualified person will assess the EV for leaking fluids, exposed parts and damaged battery or wiring. If the qualified technician encounters any of the mentioned problems in the EV, it should be isolated at the first place.
VEHICLE STORAGE LOCATION REQUIREMENT AS PER UAE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
For EV storage, there should be a dedicated space with these specifications:
- Uncovered outdoor parking area
- The EV parked should have a five-metre clear space around it
- The storage location should be around 12 metres away from any building
ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING POINTS INSTALLATION REGULATIONS IN DUBAI
As per the Directive number 1 of 2017 on the installation of EV charging stations in the Emirate, all the public and private companies need to get Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) approval prior to installing, operating as well as maintaining any EV charging station. This Directive was issued by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.
Upon requesting approval, DEWA will coordinate with Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Municipality (DM) to determine that the EV charging stations in Dubai are as per the standards defined by the authorities and also meet the technical requirements.
The public and private stakeholders will then have to implement a tariff for EV charging in Dubai, provided by the Dubai Government and implemented by DEWA in the Emirate.
ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING POINTS INSTALLATION REGULATIONS IN ABU DHABI
The EV charging stations in the capital city should be registered with the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) or the Al Ain Distribution Company (ADDC). Also, the public and private electric car charging stations will have to implement tariff for charging specified by the Abu Dhabi government.
Once the EV charging stations are registered, AED 92 applies as a flat monthly fee, prior to meter installation. However, the billing will be based on the consumption of charging after the meter installation.
Moreover, a regulatory policy is in place by the Department of Energy for EV charging infrastructure in the capital city. The policy defines the important principles for the management, installation as well as ownership of EV supply equipment and the electricity supply to the equipment. The principles also include price structure for end customers.
These were some of the electric vehicle regulations implemented by the UAE government. These regulations have been implemented to ensure safety of technicians working on EVs. Also, all new EVs have to pass a performance test before entering the UAE market to ensure they are street ready and up to the set performance standards. However, with conformity scheme and certificate, the government further smooths the entry of new EVs across all the Emirates.
Besides, the UAE government has taken many significant initiatives to encourage electric vehicle ownership. For instance, you will find many public and private EV charging stations across all Emirates, electric car maintenance centres, facilitate the supply of home EV chargers to ensure that people can charge their EVs at home conveniently.
Furthermore, UAE’s Ministry of Energy signed an agreement with Audi Middle East and Siemens to boost EV charging infrastructure. Whereas DEWA has installed EV green chargers across Dubai and is also offering finance for electric cars through its DEWA store. Given all the benefits and facilities to own an electric vehicle, if you are interested to buy one for yourself or family, you can choose from these 2023 electric car models. Also, you can browse through the list of used cars for sale in the UAE and find the EV that fits in your budget and requirement.
Stay tuned to the top auto blog of the UAE for more updates on new laws and initiatives pertaining to electric vehicles and its use across all the Emirates.
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