Provided updated photo of the new RTA Hybrid taxis in Dubai. Courtesy RTA
Provided updated photo of the new RTA Hybrid taxis in Dubai. Courtesy RTA

Dubai’s taxi companies reap rewards from hybrid cabs



DUBAI // More than 200 hybrid taxis will be on Dubai’s roads by the end of the year, the Roads and Transport Authority said, and the number is set to grow because of cost savings, improved fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance.

Even before the Government announced plans last week to scrap fuel regulation, cab companies had decided to add to their hybrid fleets.

Cars Taxi last month acquired 55 more hybrids, taking its fleet to 100, while the Dubai Taxi Corporation has 69 and will add 30 by December.

Concern about rising fuel costs may prompt public transport authorities to purchase more hybrids over the long-term, experts said.

“I don’t think there will be a major shift in purchase in the short-term, but it will become a strong factor,” said Eyad Trabulsi, senior consultant operations with Burj Park management company.

“It’s a good idea because of cost saving and the amount of time taxis spend in traffic.”

There are 177 hybrid taxis in Dubai, said Ahmad Al Suwaidi, chief executive of the RTA’s Dubai Taxi Corporation, the emirate’s largest taxi operator.

“A hybrid vehicle performs at its optimum in heavily congested traffic,” he said.

“This is because at slower speed only the electric motor propels the vehicle.” The fuel cost saving was about 29 to 31 per cent per taxi per year and fuel efficiency also improved by about 30 per cent, as per RTA figures.

“The advantages are better fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions,” he said. “The braking system of a hybrid requires less maintenance, resulting in less wear and tear.”

Al-Futtaim Motors, distributor of Toyota in the UAE, said it was in discussions with several fleet operators.

“In addition to the 55 hybrid Camry for Cars Taxi, we have had orders from other fleet operators,” said Jon Williams, managing director of Al-Futtaim.

“We are also in the final stages of discussion with new taxi companies which will see this figure increase.”

Hybrids do not require charging stations like plug-in vehicles. Instead, the Toyota hybrids are a combination of an electric motor and a combustion engine.

Sales growth could pick up as awareness spreads.

“One of the key drivers is the low total cost of ownership, which translates into lower maintenance costs, less wear and tear and, of course, less fuel consumption,” Mr Williams said.

More hybrid taxis could also mean calmer roads, Mr Trabulsi said.

“Apart from the environmental and cost benefit, there is a social benefit, because hybrid vehicles are not as powerful as regular ones when you accelerate. So from a commuter’s perspective, it will be a good check for aggressive taxi drivers.”

rtalwar@thenational.ae

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

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2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06

3.  Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06

4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06

5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08

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Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

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Eminem
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COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Blah

Started: 2018

Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and talent management

Initial investment: Dh20,000

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 40

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Recipe

Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo

Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients

180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Method

Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.

Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.

Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking,  remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.

Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.