Parkopedia And Regeny Charge Up To EV Drivers’ ‘Range Anxiety’ Concerns

By Ramping Up EV Charging Access In Middle East

Parkopedia, a global leader in connected car services headquartered in London, UK, has forged a strategic alliance with Regeny, a prominent electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The collaboration is set to revolutionise the accessibility of EV charging infrastructure across the UAE and the wider Middle East region.

The new collaboration marks a pivotal step towards simplifying the process of locating chargers for EV drivers, particularly in emerging EV markets where infrastructure development is rapidly evolving.

With regional offices in the United States, Japan, and China, Parkopedia is the world’s leading connected car services provider. It is used by millions of drivers, organisations, and automakers, including Apple, Audi, BMW, Ford, Garmin, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, TomTom, Toyota, Volkswagen, and many others.

With a presence in 90 countries, Parkopedia facilitates the discovery and payment of parking, EV charging, fuel, and tolls while also developing advanced parking maps and algorithms to assist drivers and self-driving vehicles in navigating to available parking spaces indoors.

Regeny is a specialised EV charging solutions platform offering a comprehensive range of AC and DC fast chargers connected to an intelligent charge point management system and a mobile app.

With a vision to foster a community of EV users and stakeholders, Regeny streamlines the post-purchase experience for EV owners by providing seamless access to charging infrastructure and services.

Range Anxiety

The pressing need for improved access to charging facilities is underscored by the latest Parkopedia Global Driver Survey findings, which revealed that 91% of EV drivers experience ‘range anxiety’ when attempting to find public charge points.

Understanding the ‘range anxiety’ EV drivers face when searching for public charge points, the partnership between Parkopedia and Regeny is committed to addressing these concerns. By integrating charge point data directly into vehicle head units, the navigation process for EV drivers will be significantly streamlined, providing a sense of reassurance.

The collaboration will initially focus on providing access to EV charging data in the UAE, with plans to expand later this year into other Middle Eastern markets, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan.

200 Million Drivers

This expansion will encompass a combined population of over 200 million EV owners, reflecting the growing demand for EV infrastructure in the Middle East region.

Regeny, with its extensive database comprising over 50 active charging sites and 2,000 charging ports across the UAE, is poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless mobility solutions.

Significantly, the region has witnessed remarkable infrastructure development, with over 500 charging ports deployed within the past year alone. This rapid progress underscores the Middle East’s commitment to the future of EV infrastructure, instilling a sense of optimism.

Saudi Foray

The company’s innovative OCPI roaming platform enables efficient access to the UAE’s aggregated charging network. By the end of 2024, it plans to expand into Saudi Arabia.

The UAE’s rising status as a hub for technological innovation and autonomous driving readiness further accentuates the significance of the collaboration between Parkopedia and Regeny.

Recently ranked as the world’s eighth most prepared country for autonomous driving, the UAE provides a conducive environment for adopting connected car services. Parkopedia’s partnership with Regeny aligns seamlessly with this trajectory, catering to the evolving needs of tech-savvy drivers and fostering the transition towards intelligent mobility solutions.

Jaap van den Hoek, Global Head of Partnerships at Parkopedia, stressed the importance of alleviating the stress of locating public chargers for EV drivers worldwide.

He underscored the alignment of Parkopedia’s mission with Regeny’s ambitious growth plans, highlighting their shared commitment to delivering globally connected car services.

Echoing this sentiment, Anish Racherla, co-founder and CEO of Regeny, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting its potential to usher in a new era of intelligent mobility for the UAE and the wider Middle East region.

The partnership aims to empower EV users and stakeholders by embedding charging information within connected car ecosystems, facilitating a seamless transition to electric mobility.

UAE EV Sector Charges Ahead

The new EV infrastructure partnership between Parkopedia and Regeny, which targets the Middle East region, specifically targets the personal and commercial transportation sector in the UAE, which is undergoing a dramatic transformation as EVs surge in popularity.

The UAE’s EV market is poised to reach new heights, with projected revenues expected to soar to $270.3 million during 2024 and a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.21% anticipated through 2028, driving the market volume to a staggering $370.6 million by the end of the decade.

These figures signal a market trend and a societal shift towards sustainable mobility in a region renowned for its opulent lifestyles and oil-centric economy.

The adoption of EVs in the UAE reflects a global movement towards eco-conscious transportation solutions. With zero emissions, EVs offer a tangible solution to combat air pollution and reduce carbon footprints.

Appeal Of EVs

Moreover, the allure of lower operational costs compared to traditional petrol vehicles entices consumers to make the switch. As awareness of climate change grows, so does the appeal of EVs among environmentally conscious consumers.

Quick-to-market Chinese automakers, such as Exeed, the premium automotive brand of Chery Automobile, are tapping into the UAE’s fast-growing affinity for EVs and hybrids.

In this context, Exeed, in partnership with its exclusive UAE dealer, Al Ghurair Motors, is committed to launching its all-new 2025 Exlantix ES EV sedan in the UAE market by Q4 2024. The Exlantix ES – which was a significant highlight of the 2024 Beijing International Auto, motive Exhibition (Auto China 2024) – has a range of over 500km,

Government Backing

The UAE government’s concerted efforts to promote EV adoption fuel this momentum. An essential pillar of this strategy is developing a comprehensive charging infrastructure network across the UAE.

This network addresses a critical concern for potential EV buyers – range anxiety – by ensuring convenient access to charging stations nationwide. Additionally, the UAE government’s implementation of incentives and subsidies, including tax exemptions and reduced registration fees, has made EV ownership more financially feasible for consumers.

The UAE’s unique socioeconomic landscape further propels the EV market forward.

With a high per capita income and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, the UAE is a fertile ground for EV growth. The UAE government’s ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy sources align seamlessly with the EV agenda, positioning electric vehicles as integral components of a greener, more sustainable future.

Clean Transportation

Furthermore, the UAE’s economic diversification efforts away from oil dependency have catalysed investments in renewable energy and sustainable technologies, including EVs. This diversification mitigates economic risks and fosters innovation and growth in emerging sectors such as clean transportation.

However, while the UAE’s EV market is on a rapid upward trajectory, it faces stiff competition on the global stage. China, for instance, is projected to dominate the EV market with anticipated revenues of $319 billion in 2024, showcasing the formidable scale of the EV revolution worldwide.

The rise of EVs in the UAE is not merely a market trend but a testament to a broader societal shift towards sustainability and environmental stewardship.

The UAE is paving the way for a green revolution on its roads through consumer preferences, government initiatives, and economic factors. As EV adoption accelerates, the UAE stands poised to lead the charge towards a cleaner, more sustainable future, one kilometre at a time.

New EV Markets

As Parkopedia continues expanding its charging Point of Interest (POI) data coverage network, collaborations with key stakeholders in burgeoning EV markets, including India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Chile, are underway.

Featured image: Exeed’s all-new Exlantix ES EV sedan (MY 2025) is due for launch in the UAE by the end of 2024. Credit: Arnold Pinto

Last Updated on 8 months by Arnold Pinto