Masdar and Abu Dhabi Department of Transport to Collaborate on Sustainable, Electrical and Autonomous Transport Technologies

Press release

Published January 21st, 2018 - 06:55 GMT

During the event

The Department of Transport – Abu Dhabi and Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the study, testing and evaluation of sustainable, electrical and autonomous transport technologies.

His Excellency Khalifa Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Department of Transport, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer, signed the agreement at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2018.

The multifaceted partnership aims to establish pilot projects promoting local capacity building. The agreement also covers the development of infrastructure for the testing and validation of smart electrical and autonomous vehicle technologies by both government and the private sector.

Al Mazrouei affirmed DOT's commitment to support sustainable transport by establishing standards encouraging the use of low emission vehicles.

“The Department of Transport is continuously working to motivate the public to move towards the use of environmentally friendly vehicles in order to further boost the quality of life in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,” said Al Mazrouei

“Masdar is committed to the commercial development of sustainable transport infrastructure and Masdar City in Abu Dhabi is at the heart of the emerging trend in sustainability mobility,” said Masdar’s Al Ramahi. “This partnership will help to identify innovative technologies that may be potentially developed at scale, complementing the larger sustainable transport strategy of Abu Dhabi.”

Abu Dhabi’s flagship sustainable community Masdar City has been a pioneer of sustainable mobility, introducing the world’s first permanent driverless Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system in 2010. The PRT had carried more than 2 million passengers by the end of 2016.

At this year’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Masdar announced that the PRT system will be extended with autonomous electrics vehicle provided by the French manufacturer Navya.

Background Information

Masdar

Masdar is a global leader in renewable energy and sustainable urban development. Over the last decade, we have pioneered commercially viable solutions in clean energy, sustainable real estate and clean technology in the UAE and around the world.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, we develop renewable energy projects, realise low-carbon urban development, while advancing clean-tech innovation. We also deliver world-class knowledge and industry platforms.

At Masdar, we are supporting the UAE’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy. We aim to be a model for the commercial adoption of clean technologies, and a showcase of the UAE’s wider commitment to sustainability.