E-scooters will now be permitted in 10 districts and on cycling tracks from Wednesday, 13 April, as part of plans to expand the network of electric vehicles all over Dubai.
Two thousand vehicles that four different companies operate will now be available for rent in areas that have been identified as most probably to be benefitted from greater access to e-scooters.
Those who don’t have a full driving license need to apply for a free e-scooter permit and will also require to pass an online test which will be available only from 1 May at www.rta.ae.
The network will be covering a 167-kilometre stretch across Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, The Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Al Rigga, Dubai Internet City, 2 December Street, and City Walk.
It further covers tracks and roads that are safe and within specific zones at Al Karama, Al Mankhool and Al Qusais.
The scooters will not be permitted on the cycling tracks at Meydan, Al Qudra, and Saih Assalam and individuals who will fail to park their vehicles correctly will face a fine of Dh200.
Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, Mattar Al Tayer, said, “Specific criteria guided the selection of these districts. This included special development areas, high population density, the availability of integrated infrastructure, areas served by public transport and metro stations and areas with a high level of traffic safety.”
Last year in October, authorities started a trial run in five districts as part of broader efforts to cut congestion levels.
This extended network of electric vehicles is part of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
The strategy was launched in 2017 and aims towards raising the contribution of clean energy in total energy mix from 25% upto 50% by 2050 and decreasing the carbon footprint of power generation by 70 per cent.
The 167-kilometre network will now extend from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai Internet City, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, 2 December Street, Al Rigga, City Walk and The Palm Jumeirah.
This transformation of using more electric vehicles, like scooters, will likely save Dh700 billion by 2050.
Four companies will look at the operation of e-scooters; two local (Skurtt and Arnab); two international (Lime and Tier).