Hail a green ride in Sharjah with electric vehicles fleet

Go green as you commute around Sharjah, with a new on-demand ride-hailing service that will deploy a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) across the emirate.

The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) has partnered with ION, a UAE-based sustainable mobility firm, to launch the new EV ride-hailing service by the end of the year. Tesla Model S and Model 3 are among the vehicles that can be booked through a mobile application.

Announced on Wednesday, World Electric Vehicle Day, the service will initially be available in Sharjah and will be expanded to the rest of the UAE.

Through this new ride-hailing app, passengers will not only be able to track the vehicles they booked - they will also be able to keep a tab on their positive carbon impact by using the service.

Electric vehicles produce fewer lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and exhaust emissions than conventional vehicles, helping improve air quality in urban centres.

Through its services, ION's fleet of EVs have covered 2.3 million kilometres to date, offsetting over 13,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Yousef Saleh Al Suwaiji, chairman of the SRTA, said: "Sharjah RTA is always striving to provide the infrastructure for alternative and environmental transport solutions. We rely on clean energy whenever possible in support of the UAE leadership's initiatives to transition towards a green economy and sustainable development."

To achieve more energy-efficient transportation systems, the authority also operates 750 hybrid taxis that operate with electricity and gasoline, reducing the percentage of pollutants and carbon emissions in Sharjah, Al Suwaiji added.

ION is also working to develop the UAE's infrastructure for mainstream electric vehicle adoption by setting up public charging stations across Sharjah. It is providing next-generation mobility solutions within Masdar City, including a fleet of Chevrolet Bolt electric cars for on-demand, ride-hailing services, as it expands operations across Abu Dhabi.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com