The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has announced incentives to encourage community members to use electric and hybrid vehicles and promote the use of sustainable transport, which will have a lower average annual energy consumption rate.
The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy and Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dewa.
During the press conference, Al Tayer expressed his enthusiasm about the incentives which seek to promote the use of electric vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai.
“This supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the UAE National Agenda leading to the UAE Vision 2021 to create a sustainable environment for air quality, conserve water resources, increase clean energy and green development, and the objectives of the Dubai Plan 2021.
“This makes Dubai a smart, sustainable and innovative city in managing its resources, improving its quality of life, and consolidating its position as a global model for green economy,” he added.
Al Tayer went on to say that under the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership, who made sustainability a top priority, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy launched the Dubai Green Mobility Initiative to motivate organisations.
It was placed under its umbrella to use sustainable transport, such as hybrid and electric vehicles, and to contribute to the sustainable development of the emirate by reducing carbon emissions in ground transport, which is the second-largest greenhouse gas emitter in Dubai.
SUPREME COUNCIL
“The Supreme Council of Energy issued Directive No. 01 of 2016 to set a target for government institutions.
“Therefore, at least 10 per cent of all newly-purchased cars will be electric or hybrid from 2016 to 2020,” he explained.
The proportion of electric and hybrid cars will rise to 2 per cent by 2020, and 10 per cent by 2030, he said.
He added that under the umbrella of the Supreme Council, Dewa is working on implementing the Dubai Green Mobility Initiative to promote the use of electric and hybrid vehicles, which supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, for Dubai to have the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050, and the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy to cut carbon emissions by 16 per cent by 2021.
“In support of the Smart Dubai initiative, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world, and according to Dewa’s vision to become a sustainable, innovative, world-class utility, Dewa launched the Green Charger initiative in 2014, to build the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations all over Dubai.
“This works to promote Dubai’s environmental, social and economic development as a strategic goal by launching initiatives, programmes and projects that contribute to efforts to reduce the carbon footprint and protect the environment in Dubai,” Al Tayer emphasised.
GREEN CHARGER
As an incentive, Dewa’s registered users will be able to have their electric vehicles charged by Dewa’s Green Charger electric vehicle charging stations, completely free.
The stimulus will last until the end of 2019, will be exclusive to public charging stations, and does not include home charging stations.
The Road and Transport Authority, RTA will also provide incentives for electric vehicles, including free assigned parking, exemption from RTA electric vehicle registration and renewal fees, exemption from Salik’s tag fee, and arranging a special sticker for number plates.
“This is based on the plans and programmes we have implemented, and the strategy to encourage customers to use electric cars and hybrid vehicles.
Source: Gulf Today - http://gulftoday.ae/portal/26ff9533-f369-49e3-9c5c-eaba655cfe76.aspx