In a major new development, the RAK Police has exempted Electric Vehicles (EVs) from fees for registration, renewal and ownership transfer for the next three years. This initiative will boost the eco-friendly drive in the emirate, which aims at reducing the energy consumption by 30% till 2040.
The announcement of this eco-friendly initiative was made on October 1, 2018, under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. The decision to exempt electric vehicles from fees for registration, renewal and ownership transfer is expected to encourage more people to purchase electric vehicles that ensure zero emissions.
Official Statement on the New Eco-friendly Initiative
The new decision to remove registration fees for EVs has been taken by authorities in collaboration with the Department of Energy and Renewable Energy in Ras Al Khaimah Municipality. Major General Ali Abdullah Bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ras Al Khaimah Police said that the decision to exempt EVs from fees for registration and other related services is part of RAK’s strategy to rationalize the energy consumption by increasing the use of cleaner energy sources by 2040.
The exemption from registration fees has been in effect since October 1, 2018, and it will remain valid until December 31, 2021. The “First Renewables and Energy Efficiency Office” was set up in RAK just one year ago and while the eco-friendly drive in RAK is relatively newer as compared to other emirates, authorities are making rapid strides to promote sales of EVs in the emirate.
How Electric Vehicles are a Better Alternative to Combustion Engine Vehicles?
Electric vehicles are a better alternative to combustion engine vehicles in a number of ways. EVs ensure zero emission hence they are critical in reducing the carbon footprint of the UAE that is increasing by the day because of a large number of combustion engine vehicles.
The emissions from combustion engine vehicles include harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide amongst others. These gases are seriously dangerous for human health and also deteriorate the natural environment. EVs, on the other hand, ensure zero emissions as they don’t host any combustion process under the hood.
EVs use electric batteries to generate power and don’t need conventional fuel at all. Electric vehicles of modern-day are versatile and capable in terms of their dependable driving range and enhanced driving dynamics that deliver a memorable commuting experience.
Also read: 4 Upcoming Affordable Electric Vehicles in the UAE
Buying an EV in the UAE
Buying an EV can be considerably beneficial for people in the UAE. It is because the UAE government has launched a number of initiatives to facilitate EV buyers and owners. Many incentives and benefits are offered to EV owners and buyers by the government of the UAE in order to promote sales of electric vehicles.
Some of these benefits are given below:
- Free charging stations for EVs across the UAE.
- Free dedicated parking spaces for EVs.
- A White Point System rewards the car owners who contribute towards improving the air quality by limiting their use of combustion engine vehicles.
- Green plans for insurance, bank loans and registration of EVs.
For the complete list of incentives and benefits offered to electric car owners and buyers in the UAE, read our blog titled, New Incentive Program Encourages the Buying of Electric Vehicles in the UAE.
Apart from these benefits, buying an EV in the UAE can also be a good decision as EVs can help motorists get rid of their financial worries resulting from fluctuating fuel prices in the UAE. The fuel prices in the UAE have been fluctuating for more than 3 years now, which has added to the financial worries of motorists on a tight budget. Since EVs don’t need conventional fuel at all, EV owners can get a long-term relief from financial problems caused by fluctuating fuel prices.
Read our blog on latest fuel prices in the UAE that provides information on how fuel prices have been fluctuating considerably over the last few years.
Bottom-line
The government of the UAE has set some important targets to improve the air quality by 2050. The authorities aim at increasing the use of clean energy by 50% and enhancing the energy efficiency by 40% over a period of the next three decades.
It is an ideal time to buy an EV if you want to save on the registration cost of your vehicle in RAK. Buying an EV can be an excellent decision in the long-term, given that EV owners and buyers enjoy a number of benefits in the UAE and that it will help them avoid the financial worries caused by regular fluctuations in the fuel prices.
If you are planning to sell your combustion engine car to buy a fuel-efficient hybrid or EV, then don’t forget that with us, you can sell any used car in just 30 minutes while all the post-sale paperwork is handled by SellAnyCar.com’s team.
