GCC Travel goes greener

The region is witnessing an emergence of electric and hybrid modes of transportation, most notably in the UAE, according to the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), a leading transport research agency.

The consultancy has further pointed out that pioneering users include Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) governments that are in the process of offering green public transportation solutions and business enterprises that have started to operate an electric powered fleet of vehicles.

The development complements the results of the recent UN COP21 Climate Change Summit in Paris, which highlighted the need to cut greenhouse gases, such as CO2, by as much as 80 per cent in many countries by 2020.

According to TRL, the substantial adoption of hybrid vehicles plays a critical role in the move to meet air quality and emission targets.

Are we there yet?

However, current EVs are far more suited to short, urban journeys rather than inter-urban and rural use. Range and utilisation are constrained by battery limitations and charging times, so for longer journeys on strategic roads or outside of cities, EVs are often not yet practical. This issue will be one of the topics to be discussed at Solar Middle East, which will be held from March 1 to March 3, 2016 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

During the event, Akin Adamson, Director Middle East Region, TRL will be part of a panel discussion entitled, 'Are we there yet? Electric transportation commercial and regulatory outlooks.'

The event runs in strategic partnership with the Government of Dubai and supported by a network of key regional associations, Solar ME provides direct, established access to MENA's emerging solar markets.