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NEVs: SMI Announces Partnership with AVATR Technology

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

Smart Mobility International has signed an agreement with AVATR Technology to become the exclusive distributor of AVATR’s range of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).

AVATR Technology, a manufacturer of luxury NEVs, is a joint venture between Chang’an Automobile and CATL, a smart energy technology company, and a strategic partnership with Huawei. 

Led by Chief Designer Nader Faghihzade, the vehicles are designed at AVATR Technology’s global design centre in Munich, it was shared.

AVATR will be introduced to UAE customers through a launch campaign during Q4 2024, the company noted.

The flagship AVATR 11 and AVATR 12 will be the first products to launch. Additional Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) models are planned for release in 2025.

It was shared that this is AVATR’s first export market outside of China.

Moutaz Louis, CEO of Smart Mobility International, commented: “AVATR is set to revolutionize the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market with a range of products that define a new class of luxury and performance. We are excited to see the reaction of our UAE customers.”

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CEER Signs $2.2bn Deal with Hyundai for EV Drive Systems

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

Saudi Arabia’s PIF-owned electric vehicle (EV) brand and original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Ceer, recently signed a SAR 8.2 billion (USD 2.18 billion) partnership with Hyundai Transys for the supply of EV Drive Systems (EDS) for its vehicles.

It was shared that Hyundai Transys’s integrated EDS is a three-in-one system that combines a motor required to drive the EV, an inverter, and a reduction gear, which converts power to control the motor’s torque.

The signing ceremony was attended by key executives, including HYUNDAI TRANSYS CEO Steve Yeo, Ceer CEO James DeLuca, Ceer Chief Purchasing Officer (CPO) Johnny Saldanha and Ceer Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Markus Leitner.

“This landmark partnership is another step forward in our mission to ignite the Saudi automotive sector. In this journey, we are delighted to partner with Hyundai Transys, who join our list of globally leading partners, allowing us to integrate this cutting-edge EDS technology in our world-class electric vehicles,” commented Ceer CEO James DeLuca.

Steve Yeo, CEO of Hyundai Transys, added: “With this agreement, we are confident of the success of this project through closer cooperation between our two companies and we look forward to developing this relationship further for a long-term partnership.”

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Stellantis Organises EV Safety Standards Workshop for GSO and GCC Delegations

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

Automaker Stellantis Middle East recently organised a one-day insight session on EV safety standards. The workshop specifically explored Electric Vehicles (EVs) service centre and vehicle safety standards for the Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO) and delegates from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regulatory and standardisation bodies. 

Held at the Certified eExpert Center Facility of Swaidan Trading Co. LLC in Dubai, the event aimed to assist regional regulatory bodies in understanding more about best practices and procedures in EV Service centres and ensure consistent safety standards across markets.

The discussions included a comprehensive overview of Stellantis’s current GSO-certified EV lineup, the criteria for eExpert Center Certification, safety protocols for handling EV accidents, EV battery handling, Service centre safety requirements, and guidelines for EV personal protection equipment (PPE).

Commenting on the workshop, Shahzad Tauqir, Director of Aftersales at Stellantis Middle East, said: “We are honoured to organise the Gulf Standardization Organization and Gulf Cooperation Council regulatory delegates at our eExpert facility in UAE. This marks a significant milestone for Stellantis Middle East, reinforcing our dedication to pushing the boundaries of EV mobility in the region. We remain committed to driving innovation and sustainability, working closely with regulatory bodies to enhance safety and environmental protection.”

The EV safety standards session was attended by representatives from the GSO; UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology; Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO); Bahrain Standards & Metrology Directorate (BSMD); Oman Directorate General for Standards and Metrology (DGSM); Qatar General Organization for Standardization (QS); and Kuwait Standards and Industrial Services Affairs (KOWSMD).

The Stellantis Middle East delegation was led by Shahzad Tauqir, Director of Aftersales, with Suraj Chandrasekharan, National Service Manager, representing Swaidan Trading Co. LLC, part of Al Naboodah Group.

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NextNorth Air Mobility, FlyNow Aviation Collaborate on Sandbox Project for UAM

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

NextNorth Air Mobility, an airline specialising in air taxis, and FlyNow Aviation, a developer of modular electric eCopters, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at jointly advancing Urban Air Mobility (UAM) solutions, with a focus on the Middle Eastern region.

The two parties shared that the MoU is a direct outcome of the collaborative discussions and engagements at the recent Autonomous e-Mobility (AEMOB) Forum. 

The MoU outlines a collaboration between NextNorth and FlyNow to explore the potential introduction of cargo and passenger eVTOLs. This will commence with a lighthouse project in a real scenario. 

The partnership aims to develop turnkey solutions and establish a common understanding of future interactions between aircraft, air traffic management (ATM), UAM technology platforms, and infrastructure. 

This will be done in collaboration with regulators, service providers, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) end-users.

“This partnership marks a significant step forward in our mission to redefine urban transportation. By combining our expertise with FlyNow’s innovative eCopter technology, we are poised to make urban air mobility a reality, especially in the Middle East,” said Gema Ferrero, CEO of Nextnorth Air Mobility.

“We are thrilled to partner with Nextnorth to push the boundaries of urban air mobility. Our shared vision will drive the development of efficient, sustainable, and scalable UAM solutions, with a special focus on cargo applications,” commented Jürgen Greil, CEO of FlyNow Aviation.

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BYD, Ampersand Partner on Electric Bikes in Africa

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

BYD and EV energy tech company Ampersand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on electric bikes, scaling up production in Africa, aimed at accelerating decarbonisation in the commercial motorbike transport system.

Ampersand shared that it will purchase BYD’s battery cells to build around 40,000 electric motorcycles by the end of 2026.

The partnership with BYD will enable Ampersand to rapidly scale its electric fleet and its charging infrastructure, the company said.

According to the two, the long-term goal is to electrify a large portion of Africa’s 30 million commercial motorbikes.

“This partnership marks a major milestone for Ampersand as we continue to lead the charge in providing sustainable, cost effective, mass-market EV solutions,” said Josh Whale, CEO of Ampersand.

“BYD’s world-leading battery cells and manufacturing scale, combined with Ampersand’s deep customer insight and technical product knowledge will help fast track the electrification of Africa’s commercial motorcycles.

“Switching the millions of taxi and delivery two-wheelers to EV energy tech represents one of the world’s best value-for-money decarbonisation opportunities. At the same time, this transformation will save millions of hardworking motorcycle riders six hundred dollars each a year, driving clean economic prosperity,” added Whale.

Sihai Zhang, BYD Company, said: “Ampersand’s electric motorbike technology and charging network, along with its excellent customer understanding, make the company stand out to BYD as the clear pioneer in the electrification of Africa’s transport system.

“Electrifying the intensively used commercial motorcycles found across Africa is a logical first step to decarbonising a very large potential market of motorcycles across the Global South.”

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Deliveroo UAE Launches Electric Bike Pilot

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

Deliveroo UAE has announced it is launching an electric bike pilot in collaboration with EEE Moto and EcoWay.

This pilot will run for a month, beginning on June 10 2024, and aims to test electric bike performance and battery-swapping technology solutions in real-world delivery scenarios.

The battery-swapping stations will be strategically placed within Deliveroo HOP sites alongside restaurant partners such as My Govindas and Jeff Darbar.

Raushan Uttamchandani, Founder & CEO at EEE Moto, outlined that its electric motorcycles and battery swapping technology have been “purpose-built” for operations in the UAE.

“We’re proud to be partnering with Deliveroo and are confident that this pilot will demonstrate the benefits of working with our electric mobility solution and its viability for adoption across the last mile delivery sector in the UAE.”

The stations will also be integrated into the network of partner third-party logistics agencies, King Riders, MJQ, and Syed Asmar, as well as being accessible at EEE Moto and EcoWay’s dedicated battery-swapping station facilities.

Yazan Aburaqabeh, Director of Operations at Deliveroo Middle East, commented: “At Deliveroo, we are constantly seeking ways to leverage technology and build strategic partnerships that support our mission to reduce our environmental impact. Collaborating with EEE Moto and EcoWay to launch this EV bike pilot is a significant step towards a greener future for delivery services in Dubai.”

Ivan Kroshnyi, Founder of EcoWay, added: “At EcoWay our mission is to promote sustainable mobility solutions. Partnering with Deliveroo aligns perfectly with our vision of a greener, cleaner future. We are excited to see the positive impact this pilot will have on Dubai’s constantly evolving delivery ecosystem.”

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Keolis MHI Secures Second Place in Sustainable Transport Category at DAST

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

Transportation company and Dubai Metro and Tram operator Keolis MHI recently secured second place at the 13th Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) in the Sustainable Transport category under the Best Partner designation.

The DAST ceremony was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, and served as a platform to acknowledge and promote endeavours that contribute to the advancement of sustainable mobility goals.

“We are immensely proud to receive this esteemed recognition at the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport. At Keolis MHI, sustainability lies at the core of our operational ethos, and this achievement reaffirms our ongoing commitment to integrating sustainable practices into every facet of our operations,” said Paul Williams, QHSE Director at Keolis MHI, commenting on the win.

Adding: “We imagine a future where transportation not only connects communities but also preserves our planet for future generations. We care deeply about the environment and the well-being of the communities we serve, and we commit to continuously innovating and implementing sustainable solutions.”

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Saudi EV Brand Ceer Joins UN Global Compact

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

Saudi EV brand and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Ceer has announced that it has joined the United Nations Global Compact.

Joining the corporate sustainability initiative will see the company embed the UN Global Impact’s 10 principles into its strategy, culture, and operations, it shared.

“Ceer is steadfastly committed to igniting the Kingdom’s progress in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) best practices in the automotive industry. We underscore this commitment by reinforcing our responsibility, our sustainability, and our transparency, integrating the Compact’s 10 principles into heart of all we do,” commented Jim DeLuca, CEO of Ceer.

The Saudi EV brand is a joint venture between PIF and Foxconn and the Kingdom’s first end-to-end EV brand and OEM. It designs, manufactures, and supplies electric sedans and SUVs, leveraging systems from Foxconn and BMW, to be produced in the Ceer Manufacturing Complex (CMC) currently under construction in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.

The UN Global Compact was launched in 2000 and is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 20,000 companies based in over 160 countries.

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All-Electric BluSmart Announces UAE Entry

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

BluSmart, an all-electric ride-hailing service and EV charging infrastructure network, has announced its launch in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the company, its entry makes it the UAE’s first 100 per cent electric full-stack premium limousine service.

The company shared that its chauffeur-driven luxury service in Dubai will start with a fleet of premium Audi e-tron cars featuring a CO2 tracker that shows the amount of CO2 saved after every ride the user takes.

In India, BluSmart already has a fleet of over 7,500 EVs, making it the largest in South Asia. It has completed 15.1 million emission-free trips covering over 498 million electric kilometres since its inception in 2019.

Its EV charging hubs span over 1.8 million sqft, with over 5,000 (fast and slow) EV charging stations powered by “green sources,” the company shared.

Commenting on BluSmart’s international expansion, Anmol Singh Jaggi, Co-founder of BluSmart, said: “The UAE has truly been a game changer for mobility and sustainable solutions, setting a remarkable precedent for innovative urban development. We are thrilled to bring BluSmart’s sustainable business model and customer centric offerings to the UAE’s mobility market.”

BluSmart’s co-founder shared that the company’s mission is to ‘Decarbonize Mobility at Scale’ and provide residents and visitors with “convenient, reliable, and environmentally conscious transportation options.”

“Future of transportation is electric, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this EV revolution by launching our service with ultra-premium EVs – Audi e-tron,” said Anmol Jaggi.

Further, he noted that the company aims to expand to other parts of the region by partnering with governments, businesses, and corporates/brands.

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EV Maker Lucid Expands Presence in Middle East

by Madaline Dunn
written by Madaline Dunn

EV Maker Lucid Group has opened a new retail location in Dubai, UAE, marking its expansion in the Middle East and its second retail space in the region.

The Dubai Studio is located at the urban open-air destination City Walk, bringing its total studio locations worldwide to 38.

Additionally, the EV maker shared that it will inaugurate its first service centre in the city, located in Dubai Investment Park, which will offer “comprehensive service support” to the country.

Faisal Sultan, Vice President and Managing Director, Middle East at Lucid, commented: “The region continues to build momentum in its shift towards sustainable energy, emerging as a key market in EV ownership.

“With our studios in Riyadh and now in Dubai, we look forward to providing drivers in the Middle East and its surrounding areas with the innovative and dynamic experience of the award-winning Lucid Air.”

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