How Moove is contributing to the UAE's electrification goals
Published:
By:Swagat Chopra
- Within the few months of operations Moove has become the largest EV fleet by supply hours in the UAE
- Moove has established its own EV charging infrastructure to fulfil all the charging needs of its captive fleet
- Moove's EV charging infrastructure in the UAE has already powered over 2.5 million kms and projected to to add 11.7 million kms annually to its fleet
- Moove's existing EV charging operations would contribute to an annual reduction of 580 Mt-CO2e in emissions
Moove’s contribution to UAE's electrification goals
Climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time. The transportation sector, which is rapidly becoming the largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG), is anticipated to account for over 30% of total GHG emissions in upcoming years. Yet, a global transition towards electrification within this sector presents a promising solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate air pollution.
According to the latest edition of the Global Electric Vehicle Outlook, sales of passenger EVs are on an upward trajectory, with figures climbing from 6.6 million in 2021 to a projected 21 million by 2025. Similarly, the UAE has witnessed a surge in the presence of EVs on its roads.
Currently, EV sales in the UAE represent 1% of total global EV passenger vehicle sales. The appetite for EVs in the country is on the rise, with projections suggesting a compound annual growth rate of 28% over the next 5 years.
Notably, the commercial fleet segment is poised for even more substantial growth in EV adoption. Making substantial contributions to this sustainable shift, Moove, with its all-electric fleet, is the largest EV ride hailing commercial fleet by supply hours in UAE, underscoring a marked progression towards more sustainable mobility in the region.
UAE's electrification blueprint
As the UAE prepares to host the COP28 UN climate summit later this year, it has rolled out several significant policy decisions and electrification objectives. These initiatives aim for substantial emissions reductions, especially within the transportation sector and notably in the commercial fleet segment. The National Electric Vehicles Policy stands out as a primary driver towards electrification. This policy promotes collaboration among federal and local partners, including the private sector, to create a comprehensive national network of EV chargers. Not only does it endeavour to establish a well-structured and dynamic EV market, but it also sets an ambitious target: to decrease transportation-related energy consumption by 20%.
Moreover, the Global EV Market's transformative projects aim to have electric vehicles constitute 50% of all vehicles on the UAE's roads by 2050. Dubai’s transportation authority RTA has set even more stringent targets. They are committed to transitioning to 100% electric or hybrid taxi fleets by 2027, underscoring a strong shift towards green and sustainable mobility.
Additionally, the UAE has unveiled its updated National Energy Strategy. This strategy aims to triple the contribution from renewable energy sources in the next seven years. To achieve this, investments between AED 150 to AED 200 billion ($40.84 to $54.46 billion) have been earmarked. This financial commitment is poised to reduce the carbon intensity of energy production, thereby further decreasing the operational CO2e emissions of the nation's electric fleet.
In conclusion, these initiatives and policies set a clear trajectory for the future of sustainable and green mobility in the UAE. Opening of the market to private players, enhanced support for development of EV charging networks and investment into renewable energy lays the groundwork for sustained push towards cleaner mobility. The electrification objectives set out not only hold promise for environmental conservation but also forecasts substantial economic opportunities, potentially creating thousands of new jobs in the market.
Moove’s role in advancing electrification and the broader impact
Moove targets to scale its fleet to 2,000 EVs in the UAE over the coming year, creating sustainable economic opportunities and employment creation, whilst accelerating the electrification of mobility and enhancing the ride-hailing passenger experience in the region.
We estimate that this fleet of EVs will contribute to a reduction of over 5,000 metric tonnes of CO2e emissions per year to help meet the electrification targets of UAE but also our partner platform Uber which has set a target to have 25% of all the trips on the platform in UAE by 2030 to be emission-free. In Q1 2023, more than 9% of trips requested through the Uber platform in the UAE were emission-free. Within a few months of operations, a significant portion of these emission-free trips were in Moove financed EVs. In addition to being Uber’s largest vehicle partner in the EMEA region, our EV fleet is the largest in the UAE by supply hours, a contribution which underscores our clear vision focused on sustainability and electrification in the region.
Building a self-sufficient fast charging ecosystem
One of the foremost challenges for EV adoption has been the availability and accessibility of fast charging infrastructure. Moove recognized early on that to ensure smooth operations and offer uninterrupted service to its EV fleet, establishing a dedicated EV charging infrastructure was pivotal. By setting up our own comprehensive EV charging infrastructure, we have ensured that the entire fleet is powered efficiently and effectively, eliminating wait times and optimising service delivery. This proactive approach not only ensures consistent energy supply for Moove's fleet but also demonstrates the feasibility and growth potential of such initiatives among the wide participants of the EV ecosystem.
Driving clean miles with quantifiable impact
Moove's charging infrastructure has already facilitated over 2.5 million kilometres and aims to support an additional 11.7 million kilometres for its fleet each year. For context, that distance equates to travelling around the Earth approximately 300 times annually using low emission energy sources. And these efforts have quantifiable environmental benefits. Based on Moove's current capacity, our EV charging services are projected to reduce emissions by 580 metric tonnes of CO2e emissions annually. This contribution aligns with the broader environmental objectives of the UAE and global commitments to address climate change.
In light of the pressing global climate crisis, the UAE's electrification initiatives have been complemented by Moove's tangible contributions. We have successfully expanded our all-electric fleet, developed a robust charging infrastructure, and facilitated millions of kilometres in sustainable transportation. Our efforts have led to a reduction of significant CO2e emissions, aligning with the UAE's broader environmental goals.
Moove's approach underscores the potential of private enterprises in accelerating electrification. As we navigate this journey, we are formulating a Net Zero strategy to further mitigate transportation emissions. Embracing electric vehicles means more than just incorporating new technology; it signifies a transformation in our approach to mobility in a world increasingly aware of its environmental footprint.