DEWA’s updated Green Charger system gives Dubai’s electric vehicle drivers simpler access, a wider station network, and a new paid tariff structure effective from early 2025.
How Does the Green Charger Card Work?
DEWA’s EV Green Charger Card gives registered drivers access to a personal dashboard. From there, they can track charging sessions, settle bills, and find nearby stations. The network now covers more than 1,270 charging points across malls, airports, petrol stations, business districts, transit hubs, and residential areas.
The card connects drivers to a wider system built around Dubai’s long-term energy goals. DEWA links the scheme to the Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. Those targets include cutting emissions by 10 million tonnes and shifting half of all road vehicles to electric power by 2050. Card holders receive the most integrated experience, though the chargers also accept guest users.
What Do You Need to Apply?
Applying requires three documents: an Emirates ID, a valid vehicle licence, and an active DEWA account. Drivers can submit their application through the DEWA website, the DEWA Smart App, DubaiNow, or at a customer care centre in person. However, whichever route they choose, the process follows the same steps.
Once the form is complete, applicants pay a Dh500 security deposit and a Dh20 delivery fee. DEWA typically delivers the card within three working days. As a result, most drivers can expect to be up and running quickly after applying.
How Do You Start and Stop a Charging Session?
Drivers can locate stations using the DEWA app or DubaiNow before setting off. On arrival, they park in the allocated bay and scan the card to begin the session. They then connect the cable and scan the card again to end charging. The activity is added to their next Green Bill automatically.
Guest users follow a different path. They scan a QR code at the charger, select a charging package, and pay by card or Apple Pay. Consequently, the network is open to drivers who have yet to register, though the card-based process is more integrated for regular users.
What Are the Current Charging Tariffs?
Free charging for non-commercial users ended in January 2025. The UAE’s government-owned EV charging network, UAEV, set the new standard rates. AC chargers now cost Dh0.70 per kilowatt-hour, and DC chargers cost Dh1.20 per kilowatt-hour. Both figures are subject to VAT.
The difference between AC and DC rates reflects charging speed. DC chargers deliver power faster, so their higher rate is consistent with similar pricing structures seen elsewhere. For example, rapid chargers in many European markets carry a premium over slower AC alternatives. However, the Dubai rates remain competitive given the density of the network and the range of locations covered.
What Does This Mean for EV Drivers in Dubai?
The January 2025 tariff change is the most significant shift for existing EV drivers. Charging is now a recurring cost to plan for, in the same way drivers account for fuel. Therefore, understanding the difference between AC and DC rates matters when choosing which station to use.
In addition, the digital tools available through DEWA and DubaiNow give drivers more visibility over their usage. Session tracking and billing history are accessible in one place. Meanwhile, the continued expansion of the network means drivers in more parts of the city have viable charging options close to where they live or work. The combination of clearer pricing and broader coverage makes day-to-day EV ownership in Dubai more predictable.
