Taking the route to a greener mobility future is a prime commitment for Al-Futtaim Automotive - one which it says is readily achievable through strong collaborative efforts.
The UAE’s largest automotive distributor firmly recognises the importance of pivoting the industry towards sustainability and is incorporating leading green-mobility players across its value stream.
It is actually 15 years since Al-Futtaim Automotive planted the seeds of a green revolution when the company pioneered alternative propulsion in the country by launching hybrid electric vehicles in collaboration with Toyota.
Now that commitment extends across the entire business, from the like-minded partners it works with through to the services that it launches.
That 2008 greener mindset set Al-Futtaim Automotive on a course towards not only its own sustainable future but the start of a significant, influential role in driving the UAE's transition to cleaner, greener transportation options.
In lockstep with much of the world, that sustainability journey has, of course, ramped up in recent times.
And in the past two years, Al-Futtaim Automotive’s strategy has seen it spearhead a new role as the company builds a new green mobility industry in the UAE.
This dedication has been made possible through several actions, not least the creation of a dedicated new entity - Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company - which is focused on democratising the electric vehicle market and developing strategies to accelerate and sustain growth of EV adoption.
Al-Futtaim Automotive has made a firm commitment to build a comprehensive new e-mobility ecosystem in the UAE.
This extends from bringing world-renowned electric brands into the country to introducing its own charging solution, Charge2Moov, as well as the region’s first IMI-certified electric mobility training centre to drive EV after-sales expertise in the UAE.
Added to that, Al-Futtaim Automotive has a mission to make electric vehicles accessible to all through a diverse portfolio of EV models, alongside introducing innovative ownership options to accelerate their adoption, including customer leasing and subscription.
Endorsing this potent strategy is the announcement of Al-Futtaim Group as the Strategic E-Mobility Partner of Cop28 - a major alliance and a significant step in steering the sustainability mission of the group.
As part of this strategic partnership, Al-Futtaim Group will deliver a fleet of 370 electrified passenger cars, sports utility vehicles, and buses to be utilised for the globally-significant event, happening at Expo City Dubai from November 30, until December 12. The company will also install its Charge2Moov electric charging stations for the gathering.
Going forward, Al-Futtaim Automotive - one of the major divisions of the Al-Futtaim Group - has pledged to deliver 50 per cent new energy vehicles (NEVs) and install 10 per cent of the UAE’s charging stations by 2030.
Helping to empower the company’s strong sustainable vision and accompanying strategy are valuable partners that it identified as sharing its goals, namely BYD, Polestar, Volvo, Volvo Group, River and Charge2Moov with Siemens.
In partnership with German company Siemens, Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company is able to offer a wide range of charging solutions for its customers at a variety of prices.
Charge2Moov is a reliable smart home charger that comes with fast and efficient charging capabilities, enabling EV drivers to seamlessly power their EV with a five-year warranty for peace of mind. Charge2Moov brings rapid-charging performance of up to 22 kW, adjustable to individual requirements.
Al Futtaim’s investment in Indian scooter company River underscores its commitment to developing a full electric ecosystem in the UAE, ranging from commercial vehicles to passenger cars, and last-mile connectivity solutions.
River was the leading two-wheeler start-up in Al-Futtaim’s search and evaluation of more than 50 companies across the globe.
It said it stood out with an outstanding leadership team and relentless commitment to in-house product development that were a testament to River’s focus on producing an exceptional vehicle in less than two years.
The Polestar Project 0, meanwhile, is Swedish automotive brand Polestar’s goal of creating the first truly climate-neutral car by 2030.
Al-Futtaim says the scope of the project is to identify and eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction of raw materials, through to when the car is delivered to a customer, as well as end-of-life handling.
The Polestar 0 project aims to cut carbon emissions by changing the way that cars are made, rather than using traditional processes and then planting trees to offset CO2 - essentially encompassing collaboration across the entire development process and value chain, from suppliers to retailers.
In another dynamic partnership, BYD - the world’s leading new energy vehicle manufacturer - has been working on electrification of urban public transport to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, with a vision to “Cool the Earth By 1°C”.
Perhaps a more familiar name to the public, as a leader in sustainability Volvo Cars says it is committed to reducing its lifecycle emissions per vehicle by 40 per cent by 2025, and to producing only fully electric vehicles by 2030.
Ahead of that date, Volvo Cars says it aims to become a leader in the fast-growing premium EV market.
Likewise, Volvo Group, has stressed commitment to shaping the future landscape of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions.
Its goals include offering a net-zero emission truck range by 2040, while in its bus division the ambition is to reduce emissions from the group’s operations by 50 per cent and its vehicles by 40 per cent per kilometre by 2030.
Within Volvo Group’s construction equipment division, the aim is to achieve net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, with significant reductions by 2030.
Al-Futtaim Automotive says its greener vehicle vision is attaining reality at speed with a defined strategy and strong partnerships.
“Our sustainable journey has been progressing at pace and our electric vehicles goals are gaining traction,” said Antoine Barthes, Vice-President of Al-Futtaim Automotive.
“With the collaboration of these other great innovative companies we can ensure the UAE’s electric vehicle revolution is rapidly realised and contributes significantly to the sustainable future we all wish for.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Squad
Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas)
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Company profile: buybackbazaar.com
Name: buybackbazaar.com
Started: January 2018
Founder(s): Pishu Ganglani and Ricky Husaini
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech, micro finance
Initial investment: $1 million
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
The years Ramadan fell in May
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
RESULT
Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')
Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Elvis
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The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
