Al-Futtaim, a leading UAE diversified business group, made a series of groundbreaking announcements at its first Future Mobility Day event, reflecting a bold commitment to accelerating the growth of e-mobility in the UAE and contributing to the country’s green revolution.
This year, declared as the ‘Year of Sustainability’ by the UAE government, Al-Futtaim has positioned itself at the forefront of the rapidly expanding e-mobility sector. As a part of the UAE Net-Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, this move aligns with the national focus on green mobility and zero-emission solutions.
The first announcement saw the launch of the UAE’s premier e-mobility-focused dealership, the Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company, led by the newly appointed Managing Director, Hasan Nergiz. With the backing of Al-Futtaim’s extensive resources, the new entity is poised to quickly establish its presence in the rapidly growing UAE EV market, which is expected to grow 30% per year until 2028.
In a statement, Hasan Nergiz said, “Our vision is to redefine the way customers perceive electric and hybrid vehicles, and to give everyone in the UAE open access to advanced technologies and sustainable driving experiences.”
The second major announcement involved the introduction of BYD, the world’s leading New Energy Vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, into the UAE market. Al-Futtaim will serve as BYD’s representative, marking the first entry of BYD vehicles into the GCC.
BYD has an impressive record, selling 1.86 million NEVs in 2022 and holding over 26,000 globally approved patents. Notably, the company’s Blade Battery technology has been hailed as the most advanced in the industry. BYD’s General Manager, AD Huang, commented, “Al-Futtaim is a prevailing name for excellence in customer-service and world-class products, making them the obvious choice for our mobility partner in the region.”
Two BYD models, the Han and BYD Atto 3, were unveiled at the event, with plans to launch four models by the end of this year.
The third announcement involved Al-Futtaim’s partnership with Siemens to launch Charge2Moov charging stations, providing an integrated, end-to-end EV offering for customers. This strategic partnership underlines the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions to encourage the shift towards EVs in the UAE.
Helmut von Strove, CEO of Siemens Middle East, praised Al-Futtaim’s initiative, saying, “At Siemens, we strongly believe in the ecosystem approach, because it delivers the greatest benefits to our customers, society, and the environment.”
These announcements mark a significant step towards achieving the UAE’s sustainability goals. As Al-Futtaim continues to expand its e-mobility offerings, it promises to create a robust EV ecosystem, setting a strong precedent for others to follow. With a commitment to customer-centricity, Al-Futtaim’s new focus on green mobility sets a clear direction for the future of cleaner transportation in the UAE.
