Pilot operation of 10 'hybrid' environment-friendly vehicles launched
Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, yesterday inaugurated the pilot operation of 10 'hybrid' environment-friendly vehicles.
According to Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), these vehicles would be run on an experimental basis for one year as taxis.
"The RTA and General Motors Company will embark on the experimental operation of 10 hybrid cars for one year as taxis. They are fitted with twin engines and run on fuel and electricity. During the experimental period, measurements will be made to identify the capability of hybrid car batteries, their lifetime and the percentage of fuel saving," Al Tayer said.
General Motors has completed training of more than 100 individuals from Dubai Taxi, Dubai Police, Civil Defence and Ambulance Services on operating and maintaining hybrid cars, the official stated.
Al Tayer added that the department was making efforts for ensuring an environment-friendly transport system in the emirate.
"RTA seeks a complete renovation of all mass transit system in the emirate so that it will become environment-friendly. A team has been formed to substitute the existing taxis and public buses with new environment-friendly vehicles using hybrid engines and replacing the existing abra engines with CNG operated engines. All of this is a first step in a master plan to make vehicles in Dubai environment-friendly," he pointed out.
He added that following the results of the experiment, RTA will start gradual replacement of taxis in Dubai with environment-friendly vehicles. Also, there were plans to start hybrid public buses as well.
Terry Johnson, President of General Motors Operations, Middle East, said they were extremely proud to team up with the RTA to introduce such modern technology to the Middle East for the first time.
Shaikh Maktoum also inspected the new double-decker buses which would start operations soon.
/WAM/
According to Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), these vehicles would be run on an experimental basis for one year as taxis.
"The RTA and General Motors Company will embark on the experimental operation of 10 hybrid cars for one year as taxis. They are fitted with twin engines and run on fuel and electricity. During the experimental period, measurements will be made to identify the capability of hybrid car batteries, their lifetime and the percentage of fuel saving," Al Tayer said.
General Motors has completed training of more than 100 individuals from Dubai Taxi, Dubai Police, Civil Defence and Ambulance Services on operating and maintaining hybrid cars, the official stated.
Al Tayer added that the department was making efforts for ensuring an environment-friendly transport system in the emirate.
"RTA seeks a complete renovation of all mass transit system in the emirate so that it will become environment-friendly. A team has been formed to substitute the existing taxis and public buses with new environment-friendly vehicles using hybrid engines and replacing the existing abra engines with CNG operated engines. All of this is a first step in a master plan to make vehicles in Dubai environment-friendly," he pointed out.
He added that following the results of the experiment, RTA will start gradual replacement of taxis in Dubai with environment-friendly vehicles. Also, there were plans to start hybrid public buses as well.
Terry Johnson, President of General Motors Operations, Middle East, said they were extremely proud to team up with the RTA to introduce such modern technology to the Middle East for the first time.
Shaikh Maktoum also inspected the new double-decker buses which would start operations soon.
/WAM/
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