Dubai, UAE: Emirates Transport (ET) has taken delivery of the first batch of electric vehicles, as per the MoU signed last month at the China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai with Hala China and the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), an agreement that could pave the way for the production of electric vehicles in the UAE.

The first phase of the MoU focuses on marketing and research efforts aimed at assessing local demand and fine-tuning technical specifications of vehicles to suite market needs.    

Depending on outcomes of phase one, later phases could see CMEC establish assembly lines in the UAE to produce Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) from several different brands – with joint efforts from the project’s key parties.   

The Chinese industrial giant will also work with local stakeholders to deliver the infrastructure and facilities required for the operations and maintenance of the electric vehicles.  

The joint project is in alignment with the Make it in the Emirates drive and the Operation 300bn, the UAE’s industrial strategy aiming to increase the contribution of the manufacturing industry to the economic output of the country, while also being expected to create employment opportunities and provide a strong boost to local SMEs.

The initial batch of the NEVs will be available for leasing exclusively for ET’s clients, encompassing a wide range of government and private sector entities.    

Ibrahim Al Qasabi, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) – Emirates Transport, said: “We are delighted to take the first practical steps of what we hope will be a long and fruitful partnership that will help usher in the age of sustainable transport solutions for the UAE and the wider region, which is a shared strategic objective of both the UAE and ET.”