The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has adopted a strategy to achieve sustainable development to create a low-carbon economy and promote the use of hybrid cars and electric vehicles.

Between 2016 and 2020, 2 per cent of all cars purchased will be either electric or hybrid vehicles. This target will increase to 10 per cent by 2030, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy, was quoted as saying by a Wam news agency report.

The council assessed its preliminary objectives for 2016-2020 to create a market to facilitate the use of these vehicles, said the Wam report.

It launched the Dubai Green Mobility initiative to encourage the use of sustainable transport and electric vehicles. The initiative has been presented to relevant stakeholders for their support.

"In adherence to the Smart Dubai initiative launched by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy is working in cooperation with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (Dewa) EV Green Charger initiative, to establish electric vehicle charging stations across the Emirate, with 100 charging stations already set up across Dubai in 2015.

"This supports the Supreme Council’s directive number 1 of 2016, and the directives of the Dubai government to ensure that, between 2016 and 2020, 2 per cent of all cars purchased are either electric or hybrid vehicles. This target is set to increase to 10 per cent by 2030," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice chairman of the Supreme Council of Energy.

"In compliance with the Dubai Plan 2021, and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and in cooperation with other government bodies in Dubai, the Supreme Council launched the Dubai Green Mobility initiative to promote the use of electric and hybrid vehicles, to reduce carbon emissions within the transport sector, which is the third-highest gas-emission producing sector in Dubai.

"The initiative aims establish a market for electric and hybrid vehicles in the Emirate, and contribute to a 16 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2020," he added.

"The market for hybrid and electric vehicles will promote the use of sustainable transport, and encourage the use of environmentally-friendly vehicles by all citizens and residents in Dubai," said Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, secretary general of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.