Dubai-based Hydroturf, the Middle Eastern distributor for SolarDrive, has introduced the first solar powered golf carts into the market.

The move is in line with the region's continued efforts to address environmental concerns and the second World Future Energy Summit which recently concluded in Abu Dhabi.

After a year of testing, solar powered golf carts are almost ready for the UAE market. Saving up to 70 per cent energy than regular golf carts and reducing CO2 emissions by 100 per cent.

Ideal for use in golf courses, hotels, resorts, parks and municipalities, the solar powered carts have a state-of-the-art SolarDrive roof made up of crystalline solar cells, which charge while they are driving, extending the battery lifetime through continuous charging.

Tests were carried out on golf courses in the Emirates where the solar carts were used together with Club Car battery power carts, allowing their performance to be directly compared. In all tests the solar-powered cart out-performed the battery powered vehicle.

As the cart charges while driving, it proved to be not just more efficient than its battery powered counterpart, but also more cost-effective.

With such a favourable outcome, Hydroturf islooking to convert existing fleets and offer solar solutions to all new sales of Club Cars in the UAE in 2009.

'We believe that it will greatly contribute to help reduce the carbon footprint of the region,' said Brian Goudie, general manager, Hydroturf, Club Car & Trojan.

'There are thousands of Club Cars in operation in the UAE alone. If we can replace even half of these with the solar powered vehicles we will be reducing carbon emissions on the gasoline products as well as saving up to 70 per cent of energy that the cart would use re-charging.'-TradeArabia News Service