Last month saw the Commercial Vehicle Middle East event take place in Dubai’s World Trade Centre.
By far the biggest stand was TATA. Its range of trucks, buses and pickups dominated the show floor. TATA’s Head of International Business R T Wasan told PMV that the company was proud to be able to display its range at the event.
When asked whether his company was now the fastest growing company of its type: “That’s up for you to decide but we think we now have a complete range and we can compete on a number of fronts, which is sensible given the current economic climate.”
One of the largest transportation enterprises in the Middle East, the Dubai-based Emirates Transport told PMV that it is planning to transfer its entire fleet of 10,500 commercial vehicles to CNG) and CNG/hybrid engines in a partnership with ADNOC.
The company believes the move to replace diesel with CNG/hybrid engines for its 6,500-strong fleet of buses, light and heavy trucks, and minivans will result in a 40% reduction of CO2 emissions.
It is also transferring 4,000 cars and other commercial vehicles in its fleet from petrol to CNG engines, which will bring a 75% reduction in CO2 emissions and cut fuel costs in half.
The process, which costs AED7,400 per vehicle and takes five hours, has so far been completed for 250 cars, bringing CO2 reductions of 75% and 50% savings in fuel costs.
Mohammed Al Jerman, General Manager of Emirates Transport, said: “This is part of a wider initiative by the company to provide more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation services at local and regional levels according to the highest international standards.”
Josh Anderson, EVP of Engineering for US manufacturer DesignLine told delegates at the show’s conference that the GCC and the wider Middle East region can become a leader in adopting electric vehicle (EV) technology for fleet and public transport use.
“The Middle East region is very attractive because there is such an interest in green, sustainable solutions in every aspect of daily life, and it is a focus of so many government and private initiatives,” said Anderson.
DesignLine’s own EV buses have been trialed on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island (read: Made in the UAE, PMV March 2011) and have, over the past four years, been in daily operation at Charlotte International Airport in the US. Anderson claimed that there had been a reduction in maintenance costs of up to 93%.
“When purchasing a traditional diesel bus, there is the lifetime cost to take into consideration,” said Anderson. “Rarely do buyers consider these costs when making the initial purchase. If total lifecycle costs are examined, electric and hybrid buses provide substantial savings to fleet owners.”
DesignLine and its UAE dealer, Liberty Automobiles, are setting up a $US30 million, 19,300m2 manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi later this year for the world’s first zero emission electric passenger bus, and expect strong Middle East orders.
“We have found that the interest in adopting electric transportation is high, and Middle East clients are leading other countries in their interest to adopt electric vehicles.”
