Electric Tuk Tuks in UAE? Here’s What It Means for Residents!

Green Power GCC, a Chinese EV manufacturer, is working on getting an official nod for ‘tuk tuks’ from the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) before cruising on the UAE roads. Note that tuk tuks have been used as electric auto rickshaws that operate prominently in India, Thailand, Egypt, and other Asian and African countries. 

UAE Goes Green

The UAE has several green initiatives aimed at managing climate change and reducing carbon emissions. One such initiative is the National Electric Vehicles Policy, which aims for a 20% transport energy reduction while maintaining high global road quality.In May 2023, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure introduced the ‘Global EV Market’ project to promote green mobility. It also introduced the goal to have electric vehicles make up 50% of all vehicles on UAE roads by 2050.

Electric Tuk Tuks Powered by Solar Energy

Nothing is more perfect than an electric mode of transportation run on renewable energy. These tuk tuks are equipped with solar panels on the top to capture sunlight and charge onboard batteries, ending up powering the electric motor. 

Apart from solar panels, these e-tuk-tuks also have a standard charging port, making the vehicle functional even on cloudy and hazy days. What’s expected of these electric tuk-tuks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah is that they can drive for 500 km if powered by the sun for a sufficient amount of time. The price of electric tuk-tuks is estimated to be AED 8,000, with the only other fee being the charges for periodic maintenance.