Amazon is seeking solutions to address challenges posed by the Middle East's extreme heat on electric vehicles, as it accelerates its plans to use them for its UAE delivery fleet, a senior regional executive has said.
The world's largest online marketplace, which in 2022 committed to use 100,000 EVs for its last-mile deliveries globally by 2030, is “closely” coordinating with UAE authorities, as well as its other partners, Prashant Saran, director of operations at Amazon Turkey, Middle East and Africa, told The National.
“In this region, because of the extreme heat, there is not yet a scalable, fully-proven commercial electric vehicle model. Right now that is a challenge because of the temperature and the batteries,” Mr Saran said ahead of the fifth Amazon Prime Day in the UAE on July 16.
“But we see that as an opportunity. So, we are closely partnering with the government, with small and medium enterprises and original equipment manufacturers, as well as our delivery partners.”
Amazon convened them in a workshop late last year to look at “some of the challenges in this area and what can be done from a technology and policy perspective to be able to scale that up”, he said.
A timeline for the launch of the EV delivery fleet has yet to be determined, but the initiative is a “work in progress” that Amazon is “constantly piloting and testing”, Mr Saran said.
“We are already working with delivery service partners who are using electric scooters to deliver in some of the dense areas … we are extremely committed to this and the share of electric vehicles for us will keep on increasing over a bit of time,” he said.
An all-EV fleet will be able to help Amazon achieve its plans to achieve net-zero operations by 2040, as the world moves towards more sustainable forms of transport.
The Seattle-based company also cofounded The Climate Pledge in 2019, which is a commitment for organisations to become net-zero carbon by 2040 – a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal in 2050.
Amazon began using electric delivery vehicles from fellow US company Rivian in 2022. Currently, it has about 13,500 EVs operating on US roads and more than 1,300 in Europe.
In addition to the 100,000 Rivian vans it has pledged, Amazon has used more than 15 EV models of electric vehicles on the road, including delivery vehicles, e-cargo bikes and e-rickshaws, to “test and learn” across the US, the EU and India.
An EV fleet would help operational efficiency in the UAE – which has ramped up efforts to promote and put more EVs on its roads – and the Middle East, where Amazon has made significant investments: it has two major logistics hubs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and has boosted its capacity in the Emirates and Saudi Arabia by 70 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively.
“We are here for the long term and we are here to keep on raising the bar … for investments in infrastructure,” Mr Saran said.
Meanwhile, Amazon's fifth Prime Day in the UAE is expected to build on last year's, as more consumers lean towards more budget-friendly deals that influence their purchase decisions, said Stefano Martinelli, vice president of Amazon in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Globally, the 2023 edition of Amazon's biggest shopping event was the biggest ever in its history, with 375 million items sold and $2.5 billion saved by Prime customers, he said.
Amazon data shows that the number of UAE consumers shopping online each week has doubled, “giving us the confidence that there is a healthy growth in e-commerce”, Mr Martinelli told The National.
“Selection, pricing and convenience are still the three pillars that every customer wants over time.”
The UAE's e-commerce market is expected to reach $9.2 billion in 2026, up nearly 92 per cent from 2021, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce said in 2022.
The study, based on data from Euromonitor, also projected that the share of e-commerce in total retail sales will reach 12.6 per cent by 2026.
Growth momentum within the UAE’s e-commerce sector is being supported by rising demand for online shopping and steady investment flows in the sector’s infrastructure, the study said.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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RoboCop%3A%20Rogue%20City
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The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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
