The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to deploy 360 vehicles, including electric and hybrid variants, after it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Al-Futtaim Automotive, for use in Dubai’s key conferences and events over a three-year period.
In a tweet on Sunday, the Dubai Media Office announced that the RTA’s official mobility partner will help further build the Authority’s electric charging technology and infrastructure.
“RTA Dubai has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Al-Futtaim Automotive to deploy 360 vehicles, including electric and hybrid variants, for use in Dubai’s key conferences and events over a three-year period,” it wrote.
“Mattar Al Tayer, Director General & Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA Dubai: The partnership supports the UAE’s efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, a goal that is consistent with the objectives of the #Dubai Economic Agenda D33,” it added.
.@rta_dubai has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Al-Futtaim Automotive to deploy 360 vehicles, including electric and hybrid variants, for use in Dubai’s key conferences and events over a three year period.https://t.co/0Fub0Y0nNA pic.twitter.com/enHGMtB8j7
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 11, 2023
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the UITP Global Public Transport Summit in Barcelona by Al Tayer and Paul Willis, President of Al-Futtaim Automotive, in the presence of several high-ranking officials from both organizations.
“This agreement forms part of implementing the ‘Zero-Emissions Public Transportation in Dubai 2050′ strategy aimed at fully transitioning all buses, taxis, and limousines to zero-emissions vehicles. RTA aims to convert 100 percent of its public buses to electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2050 and transform 100percent of its taxis to electric and hydrogen vehicles by 2040,” Al Tayer said in a statement.
“RTA has long been a pioneer in sustainable transportation in the region by deploying hybrid vehicles within its taxi fleet as early as 2008, and rolling out electric vehicles as taxis from 2017,” he added.
Al Tayer noted that RTA has successfully developed an integrated and sustainable mass transit system. The network has increased the proportion of trips taken using mass and shared transportation modes from six percent in 2006 to a significant 19.4 percent in 2022.
On the other hand, Willis shared that they believe in the power of collaboration to drive the industry and society forward and this belief is reinforced with their partnership with RTA.
“In keeping with the UAE’s green transformation, we have recently expanded our products in both retail and commercial sectors, further propelling the UAE’s journey towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Willis stated.
“We aim to have 50 percent of our car sales comprised of new energy efficient vehicles by 2030. This represents a significant acceleration, transitioning from 10 percent to 50 percent in less than seven years,” he added.
As part of the three-year partnership agreement, Al-Futtaim Automotive will supply a total of 360 electric and hybrid vehicles and buses, including 10 electric buses, 250 electric vehicles, and 100 hybrid vehicles.
Moreover, it will provide the necessary infrastructure for electric charging that includes 10 electric charging units capable of both direct and alternating current.
The Group will also provide technical support for operational activities, electric mobility, and advanced technology utilization specific to the electric fleet.
