Abu Dhabi Leads With Third Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit For Sustainable Transport

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), the third edition of the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit (EVIS 2024) was inaugurated today by Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI. The event, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), marks a significant milestone in the MENA region's journey towards sustainable transportation.

Delivering the opening speech, Sharif Al Olama reiterated the UAE’s commitment to building a sustainable transport system. He said, "The Summit comes at a critical time, as the world strives to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. An all-inclusive decarbonisation drive is a must to reach our collective goal. This raises an urgent need to promote green mobility and accelerate the reduction of CO2 emissions coming from the transport sector, one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases."

He added, "To achieve this target, the National Demand Side Management Program has launched a host of initiatives targeting a greener mobility system. One of the main initiatives is promoting the shift to electric vehicles as a sustainable transport option. Today, electric and hybrid vehicles account for 3 percent of all vehicles on our roads in the UAE. We can see a growing appetite for EVs in the local market. People are displaying a stronger sense of responsibility towards the environment and want to make eco-friendly choices."

The Under-Secretary noted that according to a report by the International Energy Agency, the UAE ranked second in the Middle East for the sales of EVs. In 2023, 13 percent of total car sales were electric vehicles.

He said, "As a government, we play an active part in increasing the penetration of EVs by building an integrated charging station network linking all emirates. In this regard, we are collaborating with stakeholders from the private sector to increase investment in the infrastructure of the electric charging network through various financing mechanisms that serve all concerned parties. Our aim is to increase the scale and pace of the shift to green mobility through raising the share of EVs to 50 percent of all vehicles on our roads by 2050. This comes in line with the UAE’s commitment to becoming carbon-neutral in fewer than three decades."

Regional Collaboration

Al Olama added, "Regionally, we are developing an EV Gulf Corridor, where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman will be linked with the UAE by installing charging stations at our borders with the two countries to help ease the movement of electric vehicles."

Industry Support and Partnerships

Naser Ali Al Bahri, CEO of Nirvana MICE, said, "EVIS 2024 is not just an event; it's the future of e-mobility in the MENA region. This exhibition and summit, featuring over 150 global exhibitors, showcases the evolution of the electric mobility sector with a rich program of industry discussions. Our robust partnerships, including support from MoEI, are instrumental in propelling this transformative journey forward. We are setting the stage for continued innovation and sustainable growth."

Exhibition Highlights

Following opening remarks, Al Olama led a guided tour of the exhibition floor, highlighting major advancements in electric vehicle technology.

The summit is set to continue through 22nd May, offering attendees opportunities to experience new electric vehicle technology, including test drives showcasing rapid acceleration and silent operation that define modern electric vehicles.

As EVIS 2024 progresses, it continues to attract increasing attention, reflecting growing enthusiasm for electric mobility and sustainable transportation solutions. The exhibition and summit serve as a dynamic venue for discovering trends, networking with industry leaders, and witnessing technologies that will define tomorrow's transport solutions.

With inputs from WAM