The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), an Abu Dhabi-based think tank and accelerator supporting the nation’s transition to a green economy, has hosted its first Policy Hack to create an enabling environment for electric mobility in the UAE.
Held in partnership with Peec Mobility, a UAE-grown start-up that supports the petrol-to-electric transition of vehicles, this is the first in an ongoing series that will be hosted by UICCA.
Stakeholders from across the industry were invited to participate in the policy hack, including public sector representatives including Mr. Essa Abdulrahman Al Hashmi Assistant Undersecretary, Sustainable Communities Sector, Acting Assistant Undersecretary, Green Development & Climate Change Sector, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Attendees also included delegates from the Ministry of Economy, the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Integrated Transport Centre, Abu Dhabi, National Taxi Dubai, Sharjah Road Transport Authority and Sharjah Asset Management.
The private sector was also represented by key players, such as Careem, Nomad Capital, Howden Insurance, Lloyds Bank, and the EST Lab Energy Center from the University Politecnico di Torino.
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan President & CEO UICCA
“The UICCA is on track to becoming the driving force that is supporting startups as they scale their businesses. By facilitating connections with potential partners, creating access to suitable funding mechanisms, or advocating for policy change, we believe it is vital to work hand in hand with the innovations we are accelerating. I hope that this Policy Hack will pave the way for open dialogue and the sharing of ideas with clear and considered outcomes that can help us build a roadmap that will allow businesses, such as Peec Mobility, to thrive.”
The Policy Hack provided a platform for industry participants to discuss and explore ideas on how to approach the repurposing of existing petrol vehicles as an effective and sustainable alternative to purchasing brand-new electric vehicles.
Mr. Zach Faizal, Founder of Peec Mobility, said that “Our partnership with the UICCA is a testament to UAE’s vision of being a global leader in sustainability. It was my honor and great privilege for Peec Mobility to have been selected as the first startup to begin the policy hack series chaired by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. We are truly very grateful for this opportunity and we trust that this partnership will have a positive impact on the UAE’s sustainability goals.”
Peec Mobility presented the financial, environmental and opportunity cost benefits of petrol-to-electric transition technology, while discussions amongst participants during the Policy Hack identified;
limitations relating to existing licensing and regulation frameworks on petrol-to-electric vehicle conversions
the risks considerations for insurance providers when looking to insure petrol-to-electric converted vehicles
the need to upskill the workforce to maintain electric vehicles
interest in more petrol-electric conversion of vehicles beyond use in public transportation
“We are at a point in time where every decision we take on the technologies we seek to implement and policies we look to change will dictate the very livelihood of the future generations. In only 7 years, we will all be accountable for these decisions so let’s make sure to take proper action now. Practical and immediate solutions are the only way forward,” added Mr. Faizal.
