DECEMBER 11, 2017
Toyota, leading car brand in sustainable mobility, exclusively distributed in the UAE by Al-Futtaim Motors, was a key speaker at the Clean Air Forum, an event hosted by the Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi, and the Department of Economic Department, where it shared not only its achievements in the field of sustainable mobility over the course of the past 9 years but also its vision of the future zero-emissions motoring in the UAE.
Speaking at the event, Len Hunt, President Automotive Group at Al-Futtaim, discussed Toyota’s plans to bring more sustainable motoring solutions to the UAE, and explained the role Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle technology (FCEV) can play to support the goals set by the UAE Vision 2021.
Hunt said: “We are very fortunate to be living in the UAE, under the leadership of a very wise and progressive government, that is committed to serious sustainability targets and drastic changes in the way that deals with the environment. A key player in enabling such change is the automotive sector, being a major user of energy after oil and gas.”
Hunt explained that in order to face the current environmental issues, Toyota Motor Corporation will be in gradual detachment from fossil fuel and a greater reliance on electric power through the promotion of next-generation vehicles with zero CO2 emissions, such as Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles.
He continued: “Toyota has a very strong heritage in developing sustainable cars. In fact, Toyota’s cumulative global sales of hybrid electric vehicles crossed the 10 million units mark, resulting in approximately 77 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions. This demonstrates the staying power of the electric propulsion technology that is now emerging as a mainstream solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.”
Hunt explained that new technologies such as the zero-emissions FCEVs, once adopted on a large national scale, can actively help the UAE in its march towards a serious climate action thanks to the many practical benefits they present, such as zero pollutants, zero behavioral change, long mileage and minimal hydrogen filling time of 3 to 5 minutes.
Al-Futtaim Motors has been working closely with the UAE government in an effort to raise awareness about FCEVs, and has recently handed over a Toyota Mirai FCEV to Abu Dhabi Police, as part of their Future Police Plan 1957- 2057, which aims at converting all of Abu Dhabi Police fleet to hydrogen-based line-up.
An Abu Dhabi Police branded Mirai FCEV has been showcased at the Clean Air Forum and was a key attraction to all attending officials and academics.
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