The landscape of electric vehicle (EV) adoption has evolved, with the focus shifting from the cars themselves to the surrounding infrastructure and ecosystem. This crucial insight comes from the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX) 2026 by Arthur D. Little, which positions the UAE as the frontrunner in the Gulf region while naming China as the global leader. Understanding this shift is essential for those interested in the future of electric mobility.
The Giants of the EV Revolution
China and Norway have emerged as the leaders in the EV sector, both surpassing the parity threshold of 100 on the GEMRIX scale—China with a score of 106 and Norway at 103. Norway has long been recognized for its pioneering EV sales, but China is now the world’s largest manufacturer, demonstrating a remarkable increase in the number of electric vehicles on its roads. Following closely are Singapore and the Netherlands, with scores of 96 and 90, respectively. Their sustained success in EV adoption stems from a well-aligned ecosystem rather than isolated policies or technological breakthroughs.
The report highlights a diverse and accelerated transition across Europe and beyond, pointing out that countries like Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil are progressing using a variety of strategies. These nations are combining affordability, infrastructure upgrades, industrial policy, and local manufacturing to carve out their paths to greater electric mobility. Importantly, while Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are gaining traction, plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles are still playing a critical role in some markets.
The UAE: Leading the Gulf but With Room for Growth
In the Gulf region, the UAE stands out, ranking 22nd globally among the 31 markets evaluated, with a score of 53. While this places the UAE as the top-performing market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), it still lags significantly behind leaders like China and Norway. The GEMRIX report characterizes the UAE’s electric vehicle market as one that is on the rise but not yet fully established. In 2025, electric cars comprised roughly 9% of new vehicle sales in the UAE, including 6% to 8% classified as BEVs and about 2.5% as plug-in hybrids.
The expansion of charging infrastructure in the UAE has seen significant developments, with approximately 2,800 charging points including around 1,250 fast chargers and 350 high-power stations. Looking forward, the UAE has set ambitious long-term goals, aiming for 50% of vehicles to be electric or hybrid by 2050, and a more immediate target of over 15% EV representation in Dubai’s vehicle fleet by 2030.
The Importance of an Integrated Ecosystem
Arthur D. Little’s findings indicate that the future of the global EV transition will be dictated more by the functionality and coordination of infrastructure, supply chains, incentives, and regulations than by technological advances in vehicles themselves. This perspective is particularly relevant for Gulf nations and the UAE, emphasizing the need for substantial investments in charging networks and supporting policies to bridge the gap with established leaders like China and Norway.
Experts from Arthur D. Little are clear that technological prowess alone will not dictate success in the EV race. “The Chinese model demonstrates the importance of orchestrating product, manufacturing, supply chains, infrastructure, energy, and policy as a cohesive unit,” says Philipp Seidel, a principal at the consultancy. Embracing this comprehensive approach not only helps in growing the local market but also positions countries to export entire electric vehicle ecosystems, thereby enhancing their global competitiveness.