INTERNATIONAL
Emirates Transport converted over 1,300 vehicles to natural gas in 2018
Al Etihad Centre, a subsidiary of Emirates Transport (ET) which specializes in converting vehicles to operate on CNG, has announced it has modified 1,325 vehicles during 2018. The Centre, which serves a mixed clientele from both the government and private sectors including ministries, police departments, taxi companies, as well as individual motorists, was first opened in 2010 and has since modified more than 10,000 vehicles to the bi-fuel petrol/CNG system.
Abdelhakim Said Abdelhakim, manager of Al Etihad Centre, stated that the number of modified vehicles during last year represents a strong 21% increase compared to the figure in the same period of 2017, which stood at 1,050. He said the steady increase in demand for CNG conversions is partly due to increasing awareness about its economic and environmental benefits.
“Operators of transport fleets, as well as individuals, can recoup their initial conversion costs within approximately eight months, depending on the distances covered, which of course can be an attractive proposition,” added Abdelhakim.
The Centre’s list of clients includes the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi, DP World, the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and a number of Dubai Driving Schools. In March of last year ET announced the launch of the first CNG operated forklift in the UAE.