Future

UAE-made Rabdan One electric vehicle draws crowds at Adipec

The car is manufactured by NWTN, which has a vehicle assembly facility in Abu Dhabi

Cody Combs
Cody Combs
Abu Dhabi

October 04, 2023

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One of the first electric vehicles to be manufactured in the UAE is also proving to be one of the most popular attractions on display at the Adipec 2023 gathering in Abu Dhabi of global energy professionals.

At the conference attended by about 160,000 people, the Rabdan One, a five-seater SUV, is featured prominently at the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s booth, and its popularity among those in attendance occasionally creates congestion in terms of foot traffic.

“Hopefully this is just the beginning of the establishment of an electric vehicle industry in the UAE,” said Tariq Al Hashmi, the ministry's director of technology adoption and development.

“It’s part of our ‘Operation 300bn’ programme,” he added, referring to the UAE’s 10-year industrial strategy announced in 2022 that seeks to double the share of the manufacturing sector to the country's gross domestic product to Dh300 billion by 2031 from Dh133 billion in 2021.

The Rabdan One is manufactured by UAE electric car maker NWTN, which has its headquarters in Dubai and a vehicle assembly facility in Abu Dhabi.

The company also showed off a luxury smart passenger vehicle, the Rabdan Muse, at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance car show last month in California.

The vehicle on display at Adipec had ‘Made In The Emirates’ displayed on the doors and bonnet, in line with the country's initiative to promote local manufacturing.

The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology stall at Adipec 2023. Victor Besa / The National
The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology stall at Adipec 2023. Victor Besa / The National

“We’re really proud to have an electric vehicle that’s manufactured in the UAE,” said Mr Al Hashmi.

Pricing of the vehicle has not yet been revealed, but sign-up registration for interest in the car is possible on NWTN’s website.

The company describes the Rabdan One as a “dynamic, intelligent, and comfortable, all-wheel-drive SUV that adopts the world's leading range extension technology".

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It also touts a comprehensive driving range of “up to 860 kilometres".

NWTN said in May that it hosted a test drive event for more than 100 potential buyers.

“Our first test drive experience in the UAE was designed to showcase Rabdan One’s game-changing electric vehicle performance and technology, as well as highlight its versatility,” Luen Govender, head of NWTN’s Abu Dhabi Plant said at the time.

The carmaker has also indicated that it expects sales of the Rabdan One to exceed 5,000 vehicles over a five-year period.

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Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.

Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.

Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.

Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.

Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Updated: May 08, 2024, 11:39 AM`
UAE