Residents of Dubai and Sharjah could soon spot a new mode of transport on the road: electric tuk-tuks. The Chinese-based company Green Power GCC is seeking approval from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce the three-wheeled vehicles to the UAE market.
Tuk-tuks — widely used in Egypt, Thailand, India, and other parts of Asia and Africa — are being pitched as a low-carbon urban mobility solution for both public streets and private premises. “Hotels and resorts could also deploy them as an alternative to golf carts,” said Ahmed Tauseef, sales executive at Green Power, in a conversation with Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Evolve Future Mobility Show.
The company, which already operates in China and Egypt, recently shipped 200 solar electric tricycles to Egypt. Tauseef said Green Power has received “hundreds of inquiries” from UAE residents expressing interest in the vehicles. For now, only six units have been brought into the country for trial runs pending regulatory approval.
Dual-powered, low-maintenance mobility
The tuk-tuk runs on both solar and electric power. Solar panels mounted on the roof charge onboard batteries, which in turn drive an electric motor. A standard charging port ensures the vehicle remains functional during cloudy days or indoors. Tauseef said the vehicle can cover up to 500 kilometres after sufficient exposure to sunlight. Some models feature swappable batteries and can be charged at home. According to the company’s website, prices start around Dh8,000, with only periodic maintenance costs afterward.
Aligned with the UAE’s green transport goals
The UAE is accelerating its shift toward low-carbon transport under multiple national strategies, including the National Electric Vehicles Policy, which aims to cut energy use in the transport sector by 20 per cent. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure also launched the Global EV Market initiative in 2023 to support the goal of having 50 per cent of vehicles on UAE roads electric by 2050.
Good move taken by Dubai Government it will also make transport system better with and economical impact for lower income group