Emirati driver seeks to make eco-friendly modifications

The university student has plans for a mini documentary to share his expertise on fuel-efficient car modification.

Saif BinAdhed owns a modified 1997 Nissan Patrol and Honda S2000 as well as four other vehicles. Satish Kumar / The National

ABU DHABI // As an active part of this car-crazy culture, Saif BinAdhed stands out as a beacon for a more environmentally friendly path.

Fascinated with cars since childhood, Mr BinAdhed, 29, shares the Emirati desire to modify cars to their peak performance.

He also plans to make mini-documentaries on YouTube, in which he shares his expertise on car modifications and spreads the message of fuel efficiency.

“In the last couple of years I’ve visited Japan, Germany and other European countries and the US, and I’ve noticed a huge gap in automotive and road safety awareness,” Mr BinAdhed said.

“Due to the wealth available in the region and low fuel costs, a consumer sees no reason to think about whether his luxury car is fuel-efficient or not. In the US, drivers get tax incentives when they purchase a new hybrid or electric vehicle.”

UAE residents, he said, should be aware of the impact of fossil fuel use on the environment and humans.

“Our country’s regulations do not impose a culture that needs to be aware of what’s lost in the process of handling combustion engines,” Mr BinAdhed said.

At 17 he began working on cars in his uncle’s used-car showroom. Four months after his 18th birthday, he got his driving licence.

“Whatever modifications I did was within the limits,” said Mr BinAdhed, who owns a modified 1997 Nissan Patrol and Honda S2000.

“I modify cars as a hobby but as I’m aware of all aspects of modifications, I know that I should not modify power beyond the capabilities of the drive train and body of a motor vehicle.”

He now wants to install a much more efficient engine to his Nissan Patrol, and is prepared to pay the price to keep it environmentally safe.

A motorsports enthusiast, Mr BinAdhed also owns an Acura NSX, another Nissan Patrol, a Lexus SC300 and a BMW Z4.

“When people here look at my Acura they think it’s a Ferrari,” he said. “It’s quite rare as I think mine is one of the 14 Acuras in the UAE.”

Driving among more disciplined drivers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland last year, Mr BinAdhed could not help but compare their safe behaviour with that of drivers at home.

“Most drivers here are not using their indicators,” Mr BinAdhed said. “More and more people are driving on the hard shoulder, suddenly changing lanes by cutting in front of vehicles.

“I know of a friend who pays about Dh20,000 in fines every year.”

Apart from his documentaries, Mr BinAdhed hopes to bring his expertise to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.

“If given the chance, I would be looking into environmental measures and the strict monitoring of car modifications,” he said.

"We all know the game: a driver registers his car, modifies it, renews with wasta [contacts within the registration department] or removes the modifications and renews it, then put the modifications back on.

“If we monitor modifications, I think owners like me would rather have our cars monitored instead of going through the hassle of removing and adding them again.”

Glenn Havinoviski, a transport expert in Abu Dhabi, is fine with modifications if they do not result in noise pollution and meet minimum ground clearance when suspensions are adjusted.

“Adding power to an engine is a time-honoured tradition,” Mr Havinoviski said. “The issue is whether the driver knows how to handle it and drive his vehicle according to road regulations.”