Aldar Education has announced it has partnered with Fuelre4m, a fuel solutions company, to explore the use of biofuel for its fleet of school buses. It was shared that across the past six months, Fuelre4m has worked closely with Aldar Education to test the biofuel buses, resulting in up to a 16 per cent saving in fuel costs.
Further, according to the company, its re4mx offering results in between a 15 to 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and between a 40 to 80 per cent reduction in NO, NO2, NOx, CO, SO, and SO2.
Irfan Bhat, Group Head of General Services at Aldar Education, commented: “We promised our students that we would take significant steps towards becoming more sustainable, and transitioning our school bus fleet to biofuel is a crucial part of this commitment.”
Bhat outlined that the changes will be introduced for the new school year in September.
“This initiative not only aligns with our net zero strategy but also serves to educate and inspire our students about the importance of sustainability and the role they can play in protecting our environment,” added Bhat.
Rob Mortimer, Managing Director of Fuelre4m, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with Aldar Education in this pioneering effort. Our mission is to empower businesses to operate more sustainably, and this project with Aldar Education exemplifies how innovative fuel solutions can drive meaningful environmental impact.
“The success of our fuel re4mulator (reformulator)) tests underscores the potential for schools worldwide to adopt similar strategies and contribute to a greener future.”
Newrizon, a startup specialising in electrifying urban delivery vehicles, has signed a dealership agreement and intent purchase order with Al Yemni Group, the largest light-duty commercial vehicle dealer group in Saudi Arabia. This move authorises the company to be Newrizon’s exclusive dealer in the GCC region for its electric trucks.
The company shared that the EV truck models offer Newrizon’s battery swap technology and intelligent, reliable, and lower TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) benefits.
“Newrizon’s electric trucks represent the future of sustainable transportation, and we are proud to be the partner bringing this technology to our customers,” commented Sheikh Said Abdul Rahman Saad Al Yemeni, Chairman of Al Yemni Group.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Al Yemni Group, the undisputed leader in light commercial vehicle sales in Saudi Arabia,” commented Charles Huang, Chairman of Newrizon.
Adding: “Their deep customer relationships, market expertise makes them the ideal partner to help us accelerate the electrification of the GCC region.”
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Parkin, the largest supplier of paid public parking facilities in Dubai, to expand EV Green Charger stations in several key locations managed by Parkin.
DEWA shared that through the EV Green Charger initiative, from 2015 until the end of March 2024, it provided approximately 26,000 MWh of electricity for charging EVs in Dubai, which powered a cumulative electric vehicle distance of approximately 130 million kilometres.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said that DEWA’s EV Green Charger initiative “actively supports” the National Electric Vehicles Policy and the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030.
“This is achieved by encouraging the use of electric vehicles and reducing the transport sector’s carbon emissions, supporting the UAE’s efforts in climate action. Dubai has witnessed a notable increase in electric vehicles,” he noted.
According to HE Al Tayer, by the end of April 2024, the number of electric vehicles in Dubai reached over 30,000 vehicles.
“This number is expected to increase in the coming years, reflecting Dubai’s success in fostering the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly transport. The number of registered customers in the EV Green Charger initiative has also increased to over 15,000 by the end of March 2024,” added HE Al Tayer.
“Signing the MoU with Parkin to install EV Green Charger stations in several prime locations managed by Parkin aligns with our shared vision to support the Government’s efforts to enhance the EV infrastructure and provide easy access to charging facilities using the latest innovative technologies to reduce charging time.”
This, he said, strengthens Dubai’s global position in urban planning and sustainable urban development and supports the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Social Agenda 33.
Ahmed Bahrozyan, Chairman of Parkin’s Board of Directors, commented: “We look forward to collaborating closely with DEWA on the development, implementation and enhancement of EV charging infrastructure across Dubai with a clear focus on world-class facilities alongside a high-quality customer experience, serving the strategic and social objectives of the Emirate.
“Given the time it takes to re-charge clean energy vehicles, our parking facilities will play a key role in supporting the global transition to EV, with our extensive parking network providing easy access to charging services, helping to incentivise EV adoption and maintain our joint commitment to sustainable mobility,” added Bahrozyan.
Al Ghurair Motors, the automotive arm of Al Ghurair, has announced a new dealership agreement with TAM-Europe, a Slovenia-based commercial vehicle manufacturer, to become the exclusive dealer for TAM-Europe all-electric vehicles across the UAE.
The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was attended by John Iossifidis, GCEO at Al Ghurair, and Yusef Ma, CEO at TAM-Europe, along with other senior representatives from both companies.
Commenting on the announcement of the dealership agreement, John Iossifidis, GCEO, Al Ghurair, said: “At Al Ghurair, we take pride in contributing to cities of the future across the industries we operate in. In the automotive sector, we actively seek innovative solutions and technologies that disrupt the status quo and create lasting value for our customers.
“This partnership exemplifies our commitment to supporting the UAE’s long-term vision for safe, smart, and sustainable urban mobility solutions. We look forward to collaborating closely with TAM-Europe to turn this vision into reality.”
Yusef Ma, CEO, TAM-Europe, added: “TAM-Europe is a leader in sustainable transportation solutions. Our eco-friendly vehicles are specifically designed to endure the UAE’s demanding climate, ensuring optimal performance without compromise. This partnership allows us to contribute directly to the UAE’s ambitious sustainability goals. We’re excited to join forces with Al Ghurair Motors and be a part of the nation’s journey towards a cleaner, greener future.”
The Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS 2024) has wrapped up, having run from May 20-22. In its third edition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the event gathered industry leaders to explore the latest trends and technologies and exchange ideas, featuring over 150 exhibitors.
EVIS 2024 was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and inaugurated by HE Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI.
In his opening speech, HE Al Olama said the Summit comes at a “critical time” as the world strives to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
“An all-inclusive decarbonization drive is a must to reach our collective goal. This raises an urgent need to promote green mobility and accelerate the reduction of CO2 emissions coming from the transport sector, one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases.”
At the event this week, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and Etihad Water and Electricity (Etihad We) unveiled a new joint venture (JV) called UAEV, focused on enhancing fast and accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the UAE.
EVIS 2024 also saw EV player Lucid Motors display its Lucid Air model, which has a range of 840 KM per charge; it was shared that the company is looking to expand into the UAE market, with plans to open studios across the Emirates.
Elsewhere, Techera exhibited its innovations, featuring its Wecharge mobility service and a range of AC and DC EV chargers, BESS devices and shore power solutions.
Eng. Naser Ali Al Bahri, CEO of Nirvana MICE, the event organiser, commented: “The tremendous response and positive feedback from this year’s summit have exceeded our expectations. It’s a testament to the vibrant future of the electric vehicle market. We are delighted by the enthusiasm and commitment to innovation demonstrated by all participants.”
Abdul Latif Jameel Finance has announced the launch of a new EV financing program in Egypt. It was shared that through the program, at least a 20 per cent down payment is required to access financing value of up to EGP 3 million, with a flexible tenor of up to five years. Customers also have access to insurance, maintenance, and spare parts financing programs of up to EGP 150,000.
Speaking about the EV Financing Program, Siraj Badqail, CEO of Abdul Latif Jameel Finance, said: “The introduction of the electric vehicle financing program aligns with our belief in the significance of environmental preservation and our dedication to promoting a more sustainable future.
“This program is a valuable investment for the future, offering potential for growth and advancement in the automobile industry. Moreover, it coincides with the government’s initiative to exempt electric vehicles from customs, further emphasizing our commitment to supporting this transition.”
Egypt’s EV market is currently considered a “starter market” in its nascent stage, with a limited number of EVs on the roads. The country faces various challenges with regard to EV uptake, including having one of the lowest GDPs per capita in the MENA region and the absence of an adequate charging infrastructure. According to the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX) 2023, it ranked 28th. However, the report pegged it to “likely become” an important market for EVs.
Regeny, an EV charging solutions platform in the Middle East, and Tellus Power Green, a California-headquartered renewable energy solutions provider, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at promoting sustainable mobility solutions in the region.
Indeed, it was shared that demand for sustainable mobility is growing, and over the last two years, EV sales in the region have increased by 150 per cent. Further, the Middle East Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market is set to grow at a CAGR of 25.3 per cent during 2024–2030 and is projected to be worth USD 1.5 billion by 2030.
Tellus Power noted that it will extend its reach to the region through the partnership and establish a comprehensive service centre in the Middle East. The centre will offer a ready stock of spare parts, trained personnel, and advanced technology assistance.
“We are thrilled to partner with Tellus Power Green, a global leader in EV infrastructure solutions, to develop a centre of excellence for DC fast charging in the UAE,” said Anish Racherla, CEO of Regeny.
“This collaboration represents a significant step towards driving positive environmental change and shaping the future of transportation in the Middle East. Together, we will empower communities with reliable and efficient EV charging solutions.”
“In collaboration with Regeny, we are excited to extend our reach and capabilities in the Middle East for our DC Fast Charging Product Line,” said Yeshwanth Reddy, Managing Director – India & Middle East, Tellus Power.