DUBAI: An electric car that is on a 34,000 kilometre zero-emission road trip from the Netherlands to Australia, stopped by at Dubai International last week to refuel and support Dubai Airports’ green mobility initiative.
Wiebe Wakker, the Dutch campaigner, is driving his electric car from the Netherlands to Australia as part of his project ‘Plug Me In’ to promote sustainable ideas and popularise electric vehicles. He has already travelled across 22 countries.
The event was organised to promote adoption of clean technology and highlighted the potential positive impact of electric and hybrid vehicles in achieving energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprint.
The event also raised awareness on the environmental benefits of cleaner technology among thousands of passengers that pass through Dubai Airport by displaying 3 electric vehicles at the airport.
“Dubai Airports is committed to supporting Emirate’s vision to reduce carbon footprint and adopt cleaner technologies for an environmentally sustainable future.
“The green mobility initiative launched as part of the Dubai Plan 2021, identifies the deployment of electric and hybrid vehicles as a potential approach to achieving sustainability targets and help Dubai emerge as a smart integrated city.
“The event was aimed at creating awareness about and adding to the increasing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles,” said Michael Ibbitson, Executive Vice President of Technology and Infrastructure at Dubai Airports.
Charging Stations
“We are already helping to promote hybrid vehicles with two fully operational charging stations at Terminals 1, 2 and at Dubai World Central while more stations are under planning,” he added.
Organised in line with the Green Mobility Initiative introduced by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, DSCE, to adapt cleaner technologies and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, the event was supported by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Toyota Prius.
The overall Dubai target for the share of hybrid and electric vehicles is at least 2 per cent penetration rate by 2020 and 10 per cent by 2030 of total vehicles registered in the Emirate.
The target is in line with international benchmarks and would result in estimated fuel savings of about 3 billion litres or 5 percent of total consumption by 2030, according to the Dubai Airports.
- Angel Chan