The UAE is now in the driving seat of green energy, and here’s why

The UAE may be home to some of the world’s most exciting car brands and models, but that’s nothing compared to what’s coming in the next few years. Vehicles are being developed to become much smarter and to do most of the work while reducing congestion and preserving the environment. 

In fact, this month the country witnessed its first-ever automated drive (monitored, of course) on the E11 highway from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Installed in a modified Mercedes-Benz E-Class test vehicle, the automated drive was made possible thanks to “intelligent sensor fusion” technology that controlled speed, as well as detected road markings and surrounding vehicles. Check out the clip below:

This was just one of the innovations showcased at the recent 2nd International Conference on Future Mobility (ICFM 2016) held in Dubai, an event focusing on sustainable mobility to bring cleaner energy to roads around the world.

Abdulla Al Maeeni, Director General of the Emirates Standardization and Metrology Authority (ESMA), which collaborated on the experiment with the German car manufacturer and the Road Transport Authority (RTA), commented on the Mercedes-Benz test drive at the event: “[We are] keen to drive the vision of green development and shape the mobility sector by supporting new technologies and creating national standards that attract investments and enhance trade in the area.”

“Through our collaboration with lead vehicle manufacturers, autonomous vehicles can achieve amazing results, including assuring the highest level of road safety, reducing financial losses and preserving the environment,” he continued.

SMART AND SUSTAINABLE

Autonomous vehicles and ‘Mobility as a Service’ (MaaS)—the integration of various forms of transport into a single mobility service, accessible on-demand—are just two of the innovations that could form part of Dubai’s strategy to become the smartest city in the world.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recently announced that 25 per cent of all public transport systems in the country will be smart and automated by 2030,” said Al Maeeni. “This strategy is expected to deliver economic returns of up to AED 22 billion.”

Meanwhile, Jacob Bangsgaard, Director General for FIA Region 1, which is responsible for the mobility activities of the motorsport-governing body in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, stated that the existing infrastructure and services in the GCC mean that regional governments can implement MaaS as a transport option, potentially reducing traffic congestion, increasing road safety and reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

“MaaS gives us the possibility to increase the efficiency of transport services,” he said. “Many places around the world suffer from heavily congested traffic and see MaaS as a solution to better utilise the available modes and the capacity of the existing infrastructure.”

HIGH VOLTAGE

Cleaner energy solutions also featured heavily at the event. Danish company NERVE showcased its range of electric and driverless vehicles, including its Autonomous Street Racer motorcycle, the current record holder for the quickest electric motorcycle in the world.

“Dubai is an ideal platform for testing new ideas and innovative technologies, and our research indicates that products like the Autonomous Street Racer motorcycle could be optimally deployed here,” said NERVE founder and CTO Soeren O. Ekelund. “If Dubai is to become a hub for sustainability, it needs technology to support that ambition.”

And the emirate is certainly headed in that direction. The Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) opened its first electric charging station in February 2015. By the end of the year, it had installed 100 electric charging stations. Residents can even apply for their own charger.

Car manufacturers are also taking note. Just ahead of this month’s Los Angeles Motor Show, Jaguar Land Rover unveiled its I-PACE Concept vehicle, an all-electric SUV.

Regarding the possibility of bringing the concept to the UAE, Bruce Robertson, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Middle East and North Africa, told My Salaam, “Jaguar Land Rover tests vehicles at several research and development centres around the world. The MENA Engineering Test Centre for Jaguar Land Rover, based in Dubai, UAE, continuously tests vehicles throughout the year.”

“The Jaguar I-PACE will be tested in due course prior to the production of the vehicle. Testing of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in the region ensures that all of our products are delivered with the utmost level of luxury, quality and performance.”

Meanwhile, Al-Futtaim Motors, the exclusive distributor of Toyota in the UAE, announced the launch of the 2017 Toyota Prius, its popular eco-friendly hybrid car, on the side-lines of the ICFM 2016. It also showcased the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle for the very first time and proposed a new study on the feasibility of establishing a ‘hydrogen-based society’ in the UAE.

“This is a significant step forward in our journey towards contributing to the possible development of a hydrogen society, in which everything from vehicles, to work and living places, are powered by zero-emission hydrogen,” said Len Hunt, President of the Al-Futtaim Automotive Group. “More importantly for the UAE, using hydrogen as a primary source of fuel considerably expedites achieving the sustainability targets set by the UAE Government, and helps the country significantly reduce its carbon dioxide footprint in the coming decades.”