An electric car that is on a 34,000 km zero-emission road trip – from the Netherlands to Australia – and has been driven through 22 countries, stopped by at Dubai International to refuel and support Dubai Airports’ green mobility event on March 2.

Dubai Airports organised the event to promote the adoption of clean technology and highlighted the potential positive impact of electric and hybrid vehicles in achieving energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprint. Wiebe Wakker, the Dutch campaigner is driving his electric car from the Netherlands to Australia as part of his project Plug Me In to promote sustainable ideas and popularise electric vehicles.

The event also raised awareness on the environmental benefits of cleaner technology among the thousands of passengers that pass through DXB by displaying three electric vehicles at DXB.

“Dubai Airports is committed to supporting Dubai’s vision to reduce carbon footprint and adopt cleaner technologies for an environmentally sustainable future. The green mobility initiative launched as part of the Dubai Plan 2021 identifies the deployment of electric and hybrid vehicles as a potential approach to achieving sustainability targets and help Dubai emerge as a smart integrated city. The green mobility event was aimed at creating awareness about and adding to the increasing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles,” said Michael Ibbitson, executive vice president – Technology & Infrastructure at Dubai Airports.

“We are already helping to promote hybrid vehicles with two fully operational charging stations at DXB Terminals 1, 2 and at Dubai World Central while more stations are under planning,” he added.

Organised in line with the Green Mobility Initiative introduced by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) to adapt cleaner technologies and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, the event was supported by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority and Toyota Prius.

The overall Dubai target for the share of hybrid and EVs is at least 2 per cent penetration rate by 2020 and 10 per cent by 2030 of total vehicles registered in Dubai. This target is in line with international benchmarks and would result in estimated fuel savings of about 3 billion litres or 5 per cent of total consumption by 2030. - TradeArabia News Service