Brazil8 trends that will shape the UAE’s future mobility landscape
Over the next decade, the UAE’s mobility landscape will see massive transformation, from electric and autonomous vehicles to drones and flying taxis. Experts from NEOS Advisory share eight trends that are set to shape the development of the future mobility landscape.
Public Transport Expansion
The UAE plans to expand its public transport infrastructure, including the Dubai Metro, trams, and buses. This will increase accessibility and connectivity between major urban centers, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Electric Vehicles
The UAE is actively encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) through incentives, such as free public charging stations, discounted registration fees, and priority parking. In the next decade, one should expect an increase in EV adoption, resulting in reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality.
In 2022, the UAE was ranked 8th globally in readiness for electric mobility. Electric vehicle penetration is expected to grow at a rate of 30% each year. The UAE government is leading the charge, for example, having already converted 20% of its vehicle fleet to electrical vehicles.
To support the green driving trend, Dubai has built an extensive charging infrastructure with currently over 560 charging stations – one of the largest vehicle-to-charging station ratios in the world.
Autonomous Vehicles
The UAE has been investing heavily in autonomous vehicle technology. For example, Dubai aims to have 25% of all transportation trips made by autonomous vehicles by 2030. This will include self-driving cars, taxis, and buses, improving traffic efficiency and reducing congestion.
Hyperloop
The UAE is exploring implementing a Hyperloop system, which would allow passengers to travel between cities at ultra-high speeds (potentially over 1000 km/h) in a vacuum tube. If successful, this technology could revolutionize travel within the UAE and the broader region.
Drones and Flying Taxis
The UAE is testing and investing in aerial transportation solutions, such as drones and flying taxis, to alleviate traffic congestion and improve urban mobility. In the next 10 years, these technologies may become more prevalent and accessible to the general public.
Shared Mobility Services
The popularity of ride-sharing and bike-sharing services is expected to grow, as more people look for convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly transportation options.
Smart Cities
The UAE invests in smart city technologies, including intelligent traffic systems, connected infrastructure, and data-driven urban planning. These innovations will help optimize mobility and improve residents’ overall quality of life.
Major cities in the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, are so-called ‘car centric giant archetypes’, with 3-4 million inhabitants, dispersed areas, and widely distributed small hubs. If improvements to overall mobility and congestion are not realized, the situation would aggravate several existing negative externalities in the UAE, including air pollution, traffic congestion, and long travel times.
Reduction of Demand
The UAE is already working on strategies to reduce the mobility demand to increase mobility efficiency and decarbonize the mobility supply. As published by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, UAE's national smart mobility vision statement is: “By 2030, the United Arab Emirates will be among the world’s leading countries in Smart Intermodal Mobility”.
This will include the development of shared mobility, automation, and connectivity. A significant focus will be on creating connected ecosystems, promoting mobility as a service, expanding public transport infrastructure, and providing the enabling environment and funding for automation such as self-driving vehicles.
