When Dubai Police unveiled their latest recruit on Sunday – a brand-new Tesla Cybertruck – not only did it catch the attention of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, it highlighted the force’s reputation for identifying and adopting eye-catching driving technology. But although the Cybertruck currently remains something of a novelty – in May, The National reported how renting one in Dubai for a day would cost Dh2,800 ($762) – more and more people in the UAE are choosing electric vehicles over traditional internal combustion engines.
According to figures in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ recently released Mobility Outlook report, EVs will have a market share of more than 15 per cent of all sales in the UAE by the end of the decade, and could reach 110,500 vehicles five years later. Although this would be significant growth on the current situation – battery electric vehicles represent 3 per cent of all vehicles sold in the Emirates – it still means that most cars on the road would be petrol or diesel-powered. If, as their proponents argue, EVs are becoming more affordable, reliable and value for money, why are we still seemingly so far from most cars being battery-powered?
According to the report, one of the main obstacles to the widespread adoption of EVs in the UAE, and globally, continues to be concern about the infrastructure needed to support them – specifically, charging stations. While drivers here and in other developed countries are never far from a petrol station, “range anxiety” – the fear of running out of charge while on a journey – remains a deterrent for those who would otherwise be attracted by EVs’ green credentials. Earlier this month, The National interviewed US drivers who wanted to do the classic coast-to-coast journey in an EV; faced with the limited options to “fill up”, many were reluctant to undertake such a long road trip.
Here, the UAE – a country familiar with the necessity of investing in infrastructure – is playing a long game. As far back as 2015, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority used initiatives such as its EV Green Charger scheme to create the infrastructure needed for EV charging stations. Since then, hundreds of charging stations have been installed in different parts of the emirate, joining the approximately 2,000 public charge points across the country. This supports the kind of short journeys that most EV drivers make. In February, a survey of nearly 3,000 customers by British EV leasing company Zenith found that half of EV drivers mainly used their vehicles for trips spanning fewer than 50km, while only 18 per cent used them for journeys of 96km or more.
In addition to a charging network recently announced by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Etihad Water and Electricity, other initiatives to persuade consumers to make the switch to electric are in place. EV owners in Dubai can apply for a free Salik tag and they have access to reserved parking spots across the city. Some banks offer competitive loans for purchasing environmentally friendly vehicles. In contrast, some other countries have been rethinking their earlier incentives: last year, Germany abruptly ended EV subsidies of up to €4,500 ($4,823) and in February this year France halted a programme to subsidise lower-income earners who wanted to lease an EV.
Far from seeking the Cybertruck experience, most drivers want a reliable, affordable vehicle that is better for the planet. Many people cannot afford two cars – petrol for distance, EV for city drives – so the decision to switch to an EV must be made an easier one. As improving charging infrastructure meets better battery technology, plus a greater choice of models from manufacturers in China and other emerging economies, more consumers will be persuaded to make the switch. All stakeholders have a role in creating the needed confidence and help customers feel that their choice to pay for an electric vehicle is the right one.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
How to get exposure to gold
Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.
A far easier option is to invest in a low-cost exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in the precious metal instead, for example, ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and iShares Physical Gold (SGLN) both track physical gold. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF invests directly in mining companies.
Alternatively, BlackRock Gold & General seeks to achieve long-term capital growth primarily through an actively managed portfolio of gold mining, commodity and precious-metal related shares. Its largest portfolio holdings include gold miners Newcrest Mining, Barrick Gold Corp, Agnico Eagle Mines and the NewMont Goldcorp.
Brave investors could take on the added risk of buying individual gold mining stocks, many of which have performed wonderfully well lately.
London-listed Centamin is up more than 70 per cent in just three months, although in a sign of its volatility, it is down 5 per cent on two years ago. Trans-Siberian Gold, listed on London's alternative investment market (AIM) for small stocks, has seen its share price almost quadruple from 34p to 124p over the same period, but do not assume this kind of runaway growth can continue for long
However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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