Fully charged electric cars set for breakthrough trip

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Fully charged electric cars set for breakthrough trip
There will be 18 charging stations along the route.

Abu Dhabi - The electric vehicle road trip (EVRT), launched to coincide with the World Future Energy Summit at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, was flagged off from the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) on Thursday.

by

Ismail Sebugwaawo

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Published: Thu 18 Jan 2018, 8:31 PM

Last updated: Thu 18 Jan 2018, 10:34 PM

 A convoy of electric cars has embarked on a nine-day trip, covering 1,217 kilometres through the UAE, before heading to Sohar and Muscat in Oman. 
The electric vehicle road trip (EVRT), launched to coincide with the World Future Energy Summit at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, was flagged off from the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) on Thursday. 
The nine-car convoy of all-electric powered vehicles will drive through the deserts of Abu Dhabi, the mountains of Oman and along the rugged coastline of the northern emirates. 
The EV-cars will visit Madinat Zayed in Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi before driving to Sohar in Oman and on to Muscat. The convoy will then return through Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Sharjah before reaching its final destination at the Sustainable City in Dubai on January 26.
There will be 18 charging stations along the route. "The technology has evolved and we are very excited to see electric cars being tested on UAE roads," Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy, said during the launch of trip at Adnec.
"Abu Dhabi has always been a promoter of green energy and the UAE always embraces efficient technology," he added, saying that globally, electric cars are increasingly popular and that the UAE is not an exception. "We already have electric cars in the UAE. The government will continue to promote all types of efficient energy in the country and the choice will be upon residents," said Al Mazrouei. 
He noted that the government will be helping in the promotion of electric cars through cooperation with various companies to establish the electric-car charging places across the Emirates.
"It's exciting to see electric technology transferring from the racing tracks onto the roads," said Nicki Shields, scientist and Formula 1 presenter on CNN, during the launch. "This is really a milestone in the electric vehicle industry. Launching this trip at such a big event raises awareness about energy efficient technology."
The road trip also included the opening of new electric vehicle charging stations along the route, making it more convenient for ev owners. The cars, which can travel as far as 400 kilometres on a full charge, depending on make and model, will be recharged using a network of charging stations offered by Green Parking company at Intercontinental hotels.
Sam Alawiye, CEO of Green Parking said: "The UAE is very innovative and embraces all forms of green energies despite being an oil-producing country. This is a green revolution and we are looking forward to more products."
Green Parking will be giving out EV charging cards to all UAE residents with electric cars, throughout this year until 2019. The Abu Dhabi to Muscat trip is the second electric vehicle road trip in the Middle East region by Global EVRT.
Ben Pullen, Global EVRT managing director, said: "Driving an electric vehicle is the perfect way to fully appreciate the technology that is shaping the future of transport, and to see first-hand how well the cars handle the open road, especially over long distances."
ismail@khaleejtimes.com
 


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