Range anxiety remains a significant barrier to electric vehicle adoption in the UAE despite government efforts to expand charging infrastructure, plug-in hybrids are outselling pure EVs as a result, Axel Dreyer, Galadari Automotive’s CEO told Arabian Business.
“Range anxiety is still there because we have a lot of customers who are driving daily from here to Abu Dhabi,” Dreyer told Arabian Business. “The infrastructure network, especially with regards to superchargers, is still not in line with the increase of cars sold.”
The 50-year-old automotive distributor which represents Mazda and recently added Chinese brands Lynk & Co, OMODA and JAECOO to its portfolio, is positioning plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles as the practical solution for UAE buyers until charging infrastructure catches up with vehicle sales.
Long commutes common in the UAE create particular challenges for pure EV owners. Residents regularly drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, from northern Emirates to the capital, or from Sharjah to Jebel Ali, distances that push EV range limits particularly during summer when air conditioning draws substantial battery power.
“There are a lot of people basically going to Jebel Ali from Sharjah. These are big distances,” the CEO said, acknowledging range anxiety among drivers.
Galadari is responding by pushing hybrid models that can drive 1,200 kilometers on electric power, sufficient for daily commuting and errands then switch to gasoline for longer trips.
“Customers can drive to the office, bring kids to school, go shopping during the week purely electric,” he explained. “If you go on the weekend with the family to Hatta or Al Ain, you simply fill the tank and drive easily.”
The CEO expects infrastructure to improve relatively quickly given Dubai’s development pace. Government procurement already favors EVs and plug-in hybrids and new residential developments are including charging provisions but for existing housing stock and current conditions, hybrids represent lower-risk purchases.
“All the new projects which are coming up definitely have provisions for car charging, either upfront for apartment houses or even for villa projects,” he said.
The UAE automotive market is growing 5 per cent to 7 per cent annually, creating opportunity for distributors but increased competition from new brands entering the market has intensified pressure on established players.
Galadari achieved record market share with Mazda through double-digit growth in recent years and is now expanding with Chinese brands betting that its 50-year reputation in parts availability and service will transfer to unfamiliar brand names.
The company is constructing a major warehouse and pre-delivery inspection center in Dubai Industrial City expected to open by end of 2026 and opening flagship showrooms for Lynk & Co on Sheikh Zayed Road and in Abu Dhabi by Q2 2025.
If government and private investment accelerate faster than expected, pure EVs could become practical sooner than Galadari anticipates. If infrastructure lags, the company’s bet on plug-in hybrids positions it well for a longer transition period.
“We just want to make sure that we are avoiding cannibalisation effects within our brands, and therefore we are very looking forward [to adding new brands], he concluded.
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