UAE charging demand is strongest during evening dining and early gym sessions, highlighting evolving digital lifestyles and customer expectations.
DUBAI: UAE charging demand is highest during evening dining hours, while an unexpected morning spike comes from gym-goers, according to new data released by UAE-based power bank sharing platform Ray.
Analysing rentals across more than 300 venues nationwide, the company found that restaurants, cafés and shisha lounges account for 60% of all power bank rentals. Demand rises steadily from 6 p.m. before peaking between 9 p.m. and midnight, when many hospitality venues generate their highest customer spending. Nearly half of all rentals take place on Fridays and Saturdays, reflecting the country’s vibrant dining and nightlife culture.
“Every time a customer’s phone dies at dinner, there is a real risk they will leave early. Our data shows peak rental demand hits between 9 p.m. and midnight, exactly when UAE restaurants generate their highest revenue per cover,” said Igor Kosolap, CEO and co-founder of Ray.
The findings also revealed an unexpected trend inside fitness centres. Rental activity rises sharply between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., as members arrive for pre-work workouts with low phone batteries. Cardio areas record the highest demand, with many users streaming music or videos during exercise. Women’s gym sections also generate significantly more rentals than men’s areas across participating venues.
Hospitals remain among the most consistent locations for portable charging because visits are often unplanned, leaving people without chargers. Gaming clubs also recorded surprisingly strong usage despite providing USB charging points, suggesting customers prefer the faster charging speeds and mobility offered by portable power banks.
UAE charging demand also reflects the country’s growing reliance on digital payments. More than 90% of rentals are completed using tap-to-pay without downloading an app, while the typical rental lasts just over one hour. Shorter sessions of 10 to 20 minutes are increasingly common, providing enough battery life for users travelling between destinations.
