How we move is an essential part of how society works.
Advancements in the mobility sector have expanded accessibility and opportunity – as we are able to grow economies and support communities – by enabling the movement of people, goods and services.
However, we are at a tipping point when it comes to the way we move. With the world’s growing population, there is a rising demand for energy and the need for long-term sustainable transport systems. While there are challenges across all modes of transport, it is personal mobility that is likely to be the most affected.
As evident at the recent Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit in Abu Dhabi, the sector is undergoing a rapid transformation. The aim is to make it more intelligent, efficient and clean – releasing fewer emissions and pollutants. This requires a profitable business model for sustained investment and innovation.
Investment in mobility a key driver of change
One of the key drivers of change in the mobility sector is investment. The UAE, through its National Smart Mobility Strategy, intends to be among the world’s leading countries in smart intermodal mobility by 2030. The country is investing in compatible infrastructure, integrated mobility systems, and dynamic policies and regulation.
The rise in EV demand across the Emirates is being supported by major government initiatives. For instance, on May 20, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Etihad Water and Electricity formed a joint venture, called UAEV, to promote fast and accessible EV charging infrastructure across the country.
It’s not simply about money. Investment also means creating an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. This includes policies that support start-ups and small businesses, as well as regulation that promotes competition and consumer choice.
Abu Dhabi's comprehensive mobility strategy, the Abu Dhabi Surface Transport Master Plan, aims to enhance the transport system and improve mobility experience. The strategy includes plans to expand the bus and metro network and introduce new modes of transport.
EVs and alternative fuel vehicles
Innovation is at the heart of the mobility revolution. From EVs to ride-sharing apps, new technology is transforming the way we move around. One of the most exciting developments is the rise of autonomous vehicles, which have the potential to reduce accidents, improve traffic flow and make transport more accessible.
However, innovation also means creating new business models and partnerships that can deliver value to consumers.
Abu Dhabi has seen a substantial increase in the number of EVs on the roads. .
However, EVs still represent less than 1.3 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s more than 1.2 million vehicles, highlighting significant growth potential.
The UAE is also exploring alternative fuels through its National Policy on Biofuels – something in which Adnoc Distribution has also invested, having modified our heavy vehicle fleet to run on B20 biofuel in 2023.
The country also has a National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to help the UAE become a leading hydrogen producer by 2031 and develop policies to support its growth as a sustainable fuel for the future. In December 2019, the UAE launched the trial run of the first hydrogen taxi in the Middle East.
The Integrated Transport Centre of Abu Dhabi (ITC Abu Dhabi) is exploring opportunities for hydrogen fuel technology as part of a wider exploration into sustainable mobility, including for government and non-government buses, trucks and taxi fleets.
To support the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, Adnoc Distribution teamed up with ITC Abu Dhabi and global industrial gases and engineering company Linde to open the region’s first high-speed green hydrogen pilot refuelling station in Masdar City.
Launched in November, the pilot caters to a fleet of hydrogen vehicles provided by Toyota, Al Futtaim Motors and BMW, and is being tested by taxi companies, including Tawasul, and supports our plan to reduce carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2030.
EV infrastructure
Despite the opportunities presented by the mobility revolution, challenges remain. One of the biggest is the need to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transport system. This will require a significant shift towards EVs, as well as investments in public transport and infrastructure.
In the UAE, we are ahead of the curve. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is leading an ambitious plan to develop a national ultra-fast EV charging corridor.
EV infrastructure is an integral part of our strategy. In the first quarter of this year, Adnoc Distribution's number of fast and super-fast chargers installed hiked to 90 across the network, rising 70 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2023. We plan to have a total of 150 to 200 by end of this year and are targeting at least 500 charging points across the UAE by 2028. This will help assuage anxiety, one of the biggest concerns held by consumers around EV adoption – not only in the Middle East but worldwide.
By continuing to invest in innovation and technology, we can contribute to creating a mobility system that is safer, more efficient and inclusive while also continuing to deliver value for our customers, business partners and shareholders.
Bader Al Lamki is chief executive officer of Adnoc Distribution
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More from UAE Human Development Report:
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
More from Armen Sarkissian
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Al Montaqem, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m | Winner: Daber W’Rsan, Connor Beasley, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m | Winner: Bainoona, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: AF Makerah, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 | Winner: AF Motaghatres, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,600m | Winner: Tafakhor, Ronan Whelan, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
More on Quran memorisation:
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Canada
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If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
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