Carem Launches Shipship Fleet On Electric Motorcycle In Dubai

Delivery services with Careem electric motors. (Source: Careem)

JAKARTA - Online transportation and delivery services Careem announced the use of an electric motorcycle fleet in Dubai late last month.

The company said this move was part of an effort to provide carbonless transportation options in the United Arab Emirates.

Although it does not explain how many electric motors will be introduced in the first phase, one senior figure at Careem said they are targeting to have 1,000 electric motorcycles on emirate roads by the end of next year.

"It is very important for us to increase our territory and one way to do this is to support the goal of zero emissions in the UAE," said Sami Amin, senior director of the Careem Bike operation, quoted from The National News Jan. 5.

Careem, which operates vehicle booking apps and food delivery services, uses fuel-fueled motorcycles for its drivers, which the company calls captain.

"Traditionally, our services rely on combustion engines, which are very expensive to operate and of course, are the main contributors to pollution," he said.

"The electric delivery motorbike will repair both of them," he said.

Amin further explained, there are several benefits from the switch to electric bicycles.

"(This will) allow us to continue to lower our shipping costs, which may mean cost-saving for our customers by increasing our captain's operational costs," he explained.

"This will help us reduce our carbon footprint as well, we want to keep pressing it."

Another aspect of the move towards carbon-neutral transportation is, it will reduce costs for delivery riders.

Careem drivers pay for their fuel, a standard practice across the industry. With electric vehicles, the company expects battery-powered bike usage to save at least 15 percent per month.

Drivers will be able to sign up for a monthly subscription service that will allow them to replace the battery indefinitely.

"The batteries will be placed at several different stations across Dubai," Amin said.

The new electric bike will be a significant percentage of the company's entire fleet, he said, adding that he could not share the specific amount for reasons of competition.

Dubai announced plans to achieve a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 in December.

In 2021, the UAE launched the Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, a program worth 600 billion UAE dirhams (163.37 billion US dollars) to invest in clean and renewable energy sources over the next three decades.

The UAE is the first Gulf country to commit to achieving zero emissions by 2050.