DEWA and RTA discuss plans to encourage Green Charger

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have discussed cooperation and plans to encourage the use of electric vehicles and promote the Green Charger initiative.

This came up during a meeting between Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, and Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, at DEWA’s main office.

Mattar Al Tayer was accompanied by a high-level delegation from RTA comprising Maitha bin Udai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency, Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Licensing Agency, Adel Al Marzouqi, Director of Parking, Mendana Al Obaidly, Deputy Director and Manager of Technical Support, Office of the Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, and Roudha Al Mehrizi, Deputy Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications and Manager of National Identity and CSR.

Also present during the meeting were Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at DEWA, Marwan Bin Haider, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future at DEWA, and Majid Al Hazami, Deputy Senior Manager of Smart Grid at DEWA.

"The visit was aimed at enhancing further cooperation in the development of the Green Charger initiative, which was launched by DEWA as part of the efforts to achieve the objectives set by the Smart Dubai initiative of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to transform Dubai into the smartest and happiest city in the world. The Green Charger aims to install and manage the infrastructure to provide electric vehicles with power to reduce air pollution and protect the environment from the environmental effects of the transportation sector in the Emirate," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

Mattar Al Tayer emphasised RTA’s commitment to implementing the best green economy practices based on the Dubai Plan 2021 and the UAE Vision 2021.

"RTA takes part in the Dubai Green Mobility initiative through its membership in the technical and executive committees. RTA has bought and operated 300 hybrid taxi cars, which is 6 percent of the total taxi fleet. We are working to convert 50 percent of the taxi fleet to hybrid cars by 2021. These vehicles produce 33 percent less carbon emissions compared to other cars. Hybrid and electric vehicles will comprise at least 10 percent of new cars purchased by RTA between 2016 and 2020. RTA participates in the Eco-Friendly Vehicle Conference, and the International Conference on Future Mobility," added Mattar Al Tayer.

Mattar Al Tayer noted that RTA has adopted a project to study the requirements for electric-vehicle charging stations and their locations in Dubai. RTA is currently preparing specifications guidelines for charging stations with regard to right of way. It will be completed before end of this year. RTA collaborated with DEWA in establishing 10 electric charger stations at RTA’s multi-level car park building.

DEWA has installed 100 chargers in different areas in Dubai. DEWA cooperated with major developers and stakeholders including Emaar, Nakheel, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, and Dubai Design District (D3), to identify the most appropriate locations to build the Green Chargers across Dubai. Locations include Dubai Airports, Dubai Municipality, RTA, shopping malls, petrol stations, hotels, and parking areas.

Both DEWA and RTA work under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.