90% of Dubai's limousines will be eco-friendly by 2026
2026 is expected to see 90% of limousines in Dubai to become environmentally friendly vehicles according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Currently, the green fleet stands at almost 6%. However, RTA plans suggest 65% of the Dubai’s limousine fleet, including those of Careem and Uber, will be hybrid vehicles while 25% of them would be electric.
The plan suggests an almost exponential increase in the number of hybrid and electric limousines, rising from the current 6% to 10% in 2020, 20% in 2021, 30% in 2022, 40% in 2023, 55% in 2024, 70% by 2025 and hitting 90% in 2026.
That’s an ambitious plan, but then again what isn’t even it comes to Dubai’s vision to the future?
“About 6,500 limos are operated in Dubai by 100 companies or more. Each vehicle travels about 400km per day, which translates into the production of 44 tons of carbon emissions per annum.Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors at the RTA
To support this green mobility plan, RTA is offering a discount of 25 percent on the monthly franchise fees of electric vehicles throughout the first year. In addition, it will also allow electric vehicles to use special lanes that are dedicated to buses.
Dubai Taxi Corporation partnered with Uber in 2017, becoming the exclusive operator of its fleet of 50 Tesla electric vehicles. Meanwhile, Careem, now acquired by Uber introduced electric vehicles to its fleet in 2018.
A feasibility study of hybrid and electric vehicles being used in the taxi fleet between 2008 and 2011, showed 30 percent fuel saving along with 30% reduction in carbon emissions. RTA earlier announced its plan to transform 50% of Dubai’s taxi fleet into hybrid vehicles by 2021. It is an absolute delight to see Dubai taking such strong steps towards sustainability.
