Abu Dhabi is to begin piloting fully electric buses with a view to rolling them out across its transport network late next year.
The green buses will be introduced gradually, but will eventually replace all diesel and other polluting vehicles of their kind, including school buses.
The companies behind the project said there are also plans to trial electric cars, vans and lorries.
The battery technology for the vehicles has been successfully tested in the UAE, coping with the challenges posed by the country’s extreme summer heat.
The new buses, which have been fitted with Abu Dhabi number plates and are ready to go, were displayed at a launch event in the capital on Wednesday.
The scheme is being run by a tie-up between Emirates Global Motor Electric, which is part of Al Fahim Group, Hitachi Energy, an expert in power grids, and battery manufacturer Yinlong Energy.
School transport to lead the way
Abby Thomas, the director of sales and marketing at Yinlong, said the decision over when and where to run the trial will be made by authorities.
But school buses could be first.
“That is the prime objective, because of the emissions,” he said.
“I think schools are important, because at the end of the day these kids are breathing in these fumes.”
The bus batteries can be fully charged in less than 20 minutes, said Mr Thomas.
“We have already completed two years of testing. Now we are getting into the roll-in phase of how we can talk to different operators in different regions.
“Our charging stations are already installed in the Department of Transport.
“We want to make sure we are ready for Cop28, and expanding the range into commercial trucks and vans,” he added.
Hany Tawfik, the head of Emirates Global Motor Electric and Emirates Global Industries, said they will be able to run fleets comprising hundreds of buses with its compact, fast and extensive charging network.
“We are proud to say these buses will be rolled out in the UAE next year,” he added.
The companies have designed smaller buses for schools and airport shuttles.
Bilal Alribi, general manager of Al Fahim Commercial Vehicles, said the smart charging system would allow the company to maximise its operations.
“E-mobility is the future of transportation and we feel privileged to be part of this journey towards a more sustainable future.”
UAE leading sustainability drive
Last month, Dubai announced it was to launch its own trial of two electric buses.
The Volvo 7900 vehicles will operate on designated paths in both directions between La Mer South, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Street and Al Sufouh tram station.
The Roads and Transport Authority joined forces with Volvo Bus Company, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Meraas Real Estate, and ABB Group - a leader in the electric bus charging industry - for the eco-friendly initiative.
"The step reflects RTA’s efforts to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly mass transit means," Dubai Media Office said.
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
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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
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
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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- 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
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Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
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