
In the UAE, it is generally not recommended and can be unsafe to plug in your electric vehicle for charging while the vehicle's systems are fully 'on' and ready to drive. For optimal safety and vehicle health, especially under local conditions, the standard practice is to put the car in 'Park', turn off the driving system, and then initiate charging. Key reasons for this, supported by local authority guidelines, include preventing potential overloads to the auxiliary 12V system (which remains active when the car is 'on') and ensuring the main battery management system (BMS) can accurately monitor the high-voltage battery's temperature, a critical factor in UAE summers where ambient temperatures regularly exceed 40°C. The RTA Dubai's general guidelines for EV safety emphasize the importance of following the manufacturer's specific instructions during charging operations. Furthermore, procedures outlined by the UAE's Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) for EV ecosystem safety inherently assume a controlled, non-operational state during the charging process. From a total cost of ownership (TCO) perspective for a UAE EV owner, improper charging practices that could lead to premature wear on the thermal management system or 12V battery directly increase the cost per km. For example, on a popular model like the 2024 MG ZS EV with a 50.3 kWh battery:
| Scenario | Recommended Practice | Key Consideration in UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Charging at Home/Public Station | Turn vehicle 'OFF', then connect. | Allows BMS to focus solely on safe charging, managing battery temperature against external heat. |
| Using 'Camp Mode' or Climate Keep | Follow specific manufacturer mode. | These modes are designed for accessory use, not concurrent DC fast charging. |

From my three years driving a Model 3 in Dubai, I always turn it off before plugging in at my Marina apartment's charger. Once, during a rushed mall trip in summer, I left the AC on while connecting at a DEWA public station. The car gave a warning on the screen and the charging speed was noticeably slower than usual—the system seemed to be prioritizing cooling the cabin over charging the battery. I don't risk it anymore; it's simpler and feels safer to just turn it off.

From my three years driving a Model 3 in Dubai, I always turn it off before plugging in at my Marina apartment's charger. Once, during a rushed mall trip in summer, I left the AC on while connecting at a DEWA public station. The car gave a warning on the screen and the charging speed was noticeably slower than usual—the system seemed to be prioritizing cooling the cabin over charging the battery. I don't risk it anymore; it's simpler and feels safer to just turn it off.

As a technician at a garage in Al Quoz specializing in EVs, the main issue we see isn't immediate damage, but stress on components. When the car is 'on', the 12V system that runs the infotainment, lights, and especially the powerful GCC-spec air conditioning is drawing power. During charging, this can create conflicting loads. We've had a few Leaf and MG ZS EVs come in with 12V battery failures earlier than expected, and the owners' habit of charging while sitting in the car with the AC on full blast was a common factor. The BMS gets confused.

I drive a Ioniq 5 for a ride-hailing service in Abu Dhabi. Between trips, I need to top up quickly at a fast charger. The company's policy is clear: you must shift to Park and power down the vehicle before connecting the CCS plug. They track this through the charging network data. It's a strict rule because if the car were to somehow be driven off while plugged in, the damage to the charging port, cable, and the vehicle itself would be enormous and a major safety incident on a busy street like Sheikh Zayed Road.










