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Abu Dhabi Rolls Out Barq Ultra-Fast EV Chargers
The new 360 kW network will feature 50 charging stations with the aim of speeding EV uptake as the UAE pushes toward Net Zero.
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.
News
Lebanon Ministers Meet Visa Over National Digital Payment Platform
Finance and technology ministers say a comparative study and roadmap will follow before any decision on adopting a model.
Lebanon’s finance and technology ministers met representatives from Visa last week to discuss a proposed unified national digital payment platform for government services, according to a readout from the Ministry of Finance.
The meeting brought together Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh, a Visa delegation, and experts from both ministries. Discussion focused on whether Lebanon could establish a single platform through which citizens and institutions would pay taxes, fees, fines and other official transactions electronically, using mobile phones and other digital channels.
The Visa delegation presented examples from countries that have adopted unified government payment platforms, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Estonia and Jordan. According to the readout, the examples were presented as having increased collection rates and expanded financial inclusion.
Talks covered settlement mechanisms, direct transfer to the treasury account, financial reconciliation, risk management, cybersecurity, fees, and an operational model that would involve the private sector. The parties agreed to continue technical and institutional consultations, prepare a comparative study, and develop an implementation roadmap before any decision on adopting a model for Lebanon.
Jaber said the Ministry of Finance had already enabled citizens to pay using credit cards and e-wallets through transfer companies, but described the proposed platform as a further step. He framed the development of electronic payment and collection systems as a priority within the ministry’s modernization plan.
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Shehadeh outlined the citizen-facing concept as a single mobile application through which users could settle obligations to ministries, government institutions and other bodies.
“The idea, in short, is that any citizen downloads an application on their mobile phone, through which they can pay all service obligations for all ministries, government institutions, or those owned by the Lebanese state, and others as well, as the platform is not limited only to state institutions,” he said.
Shehadeh added that the platform would not displace banks and money transfer companies that currently provide collection services to the state, calling it complementary to their work.
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