DUBAI // The city's taxi corporation has added 20 hybrid vehicles to its fleet, it was announced yesterday.
Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) said the Toyota Camry saloon cars run on an electric motor up to a certain speed before switching to its petrol fuel engine.
The taxis look exactly the same as the current red-roofed Camrys but will sport a green leaf logo on the front doors. There will also be no difference in fare.
The Roads and Transport Authority, which operates DTC, assessed the feasibility of hybrids between 2008 to 2011.
“We studied the inclusion of hybrid vehicles to the fleet since 2008, and we believe we have selected the right vehicle for the job,” said Ahmad Al Hammadi, acting chief executive of DTC.
“We will now monitor the performance, emissions and fuel consumption of these vehicles to see if they match our expectation before looking at increasing the number of hybrid vehicles to our fleet.”
The vehicles were tested and ran for more than 550,000km without breakdowns or needing major maintenance. They were also 33 per cent more fuel efficient and the carbon dioxide emissions were 33 per cent less than normal vehicles.
“The amount of carbon dioxide emissions for a regular vehicle [taxi] per day is estimated at 182kg, while the amount of emissions left by hybrid composites per day is 121kg,” said Mr Al Hammadi.
“Hybrids are more expensive than regular vehicles but it is not about that, it is about being environmentally conscious. The environmental benefits far outweigh the initial costs and, in the long run, it will be more cost efficient.”
Toyota has sold more than 5.5 million vehicles globally from its range of 23 hybrids. They are marketed in 80 countries, but a Toyota hybrid is yet to be introduced in the UAE.
malkhan@thenational.ae
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Kibsons%20Cares
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERecycling%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EAny%20time%20you%20receive%20a%20Kibsons%20order%2C%20you%20can%20return%20your%20cardboard%20box%20to%20the%20drivers.%20They%E2%80%99ll%20be%20happy%20to%20take%20it%20off%20your%20hands%20and%20ensure%20it%20gets%20reused%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKind%20to%20health%20and%20planet%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESolar%20%E2%80%93%2025-50%25%20of%20electricity%20saved%3Cbr%3EWater%20%E2%80%93%2075%25%20of%20water%20reused%3Cbr%3EBiofuel%20%E2%80%93%20Kibsons%20fleet%20to%20get%2020%25%20more%20mileage%20per%20litre%20with%20biofuel%20additives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESustainable%20grocery%20shopping%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENo%20antibiotics%3Cbr%3ENo%20added%20hormones%3Cbr%3ENo%20GMO%3Cbr%3ENo%20preservatives%3Cbr%3EMSG%20free%3Cbr%3E100%25%20natural%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
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Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
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Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
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Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank