Abu Dhabi is deploying an ultra-fast electric vehicle charging network branded Barq, in a move by the Department of Energy (DoE) and TAQA Distribution to hasten the shift to cleaner transport.

More than 50 stations rated at 360 kW will be installed at busy sites across the emirate. Locations include Manarat Al Saadiyat, Mina Market, Burjeel Hospital in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, several spots in Al Ain — UAE University, Tawam Hospital, Al Jimi Mall — and City Mall in Madinat Zayed (Al Dhafra).

The first phase of the project goes live on January 13 during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where charging will be free for visitors.

Speed is the main promise of the Barq network: Drivers will be able to add roughly 100 kilometers of range in about three minutes. TAQA will grant a free charge after every three paid sessions to nudge adoption, a tactic aimed at early EV owners as well as fleet operators.

Officials are framing Barq as part of a sustainable mobility ecosystem backed by advanced infrastructure. “This is a strategic step in Abu Dhabi’s sustainable mobility journey, providing an advanced charging network that combines speed and reliability,” said Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the DoE, who tied the rollout to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 pledge. TAQA Distribution CEO Omar Al Hashmi said the project reinforces the emirate’s positioning in smart energy and sustainable mobility.

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The push fits into national EV policies and air quality goals that target roughly half the vehicle fleet being electric or hybrid by mid-century. It also dovetails with planning through the Department of Municipalities and Transport, which is coordinating sites and grid upgrades. Battery-electric uptake remains modest across the region, but governments are investing in hardware ahead of mass-market demand.

For the Gulf, the Barq buildout shows climate and diversification agendas moving from targets to infrastructure. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have rolled out EV incentives, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar are setting similar transport targets under economic overhauls tied to their national visions.