UAE steps in to control EV imports by secondhand dealerships

UAE steps in to control EV imports by secondhand dealerships

Dubai: Want to import an electric vehicle into the UAE? Then make sure a Volkswagen EV model is not among your choices. The UAE Ministry of Finance has just issued a directive that there can be no more imports of new/pre-owned VW-built EVs into the country other than through the authorised dealership. The decision comes after concerns were raised repeatedly at the highest levels about such import of EVs typically built to European specs and not been tweaked to take in the vastly different climatic conditions in the UAE. “There are second-hand dealers who cashed in on the fairly high demand for popular EV models among UAE buyers,” said a senior source with a luxury car dealership in Dubai. “Apart from Tesla, of course, Volkswagen EV models were the other popular choice. But these models were sold with no manufacturer warranty – buyers here were taking on a major risk with these ‘made for EU’ vehicles.” Prospective EV car buyers in the UAE have looked outside to source their models as some of these are yet to be formally launched for the Gulf markets. Most of the legacy carmakers are still in the initial stages of ramping up their EV