This challenge has been organised by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai and the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, involving six autonomous bus builders testing their respective autonomous driving capabilities in the hope of winning a lucrative government tender in the future.

Einride has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) to deploy 8 electric vehicle charging stations (500 charging points) over 550 km, with 2,000 electric delivery vehicles (of which 200 will be autonomous) across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah over the next five years.

The TITAN-eRR20 is mounted on an Electra e-Star electric chassis, with charging taking 5 hours.

The company opened its first sales branch in Dubai, the UAE, expanding its global sales network by specifically bringing its full product range to the middle eastern markets.

The order has been placed by Ashok Leyland’s UAE distribution partner, Swaidan Trading - Al Naboodah Group, with most of the buses being supplied to two operators, Emirates Transport and the STS Group.

Aidrivers and AD Ports Group of Abu Dhabi will trial terminal tractors or yard trucks fitted with Aidrivers’ autonomous driving technology at Zayed Port, with scope to expand to other locations.

Terberg Environmental has committed to working more closely with waste management firm Imdaad in expanding their respective businesses in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. 

Mallghan launched a new 6x6 fire rescue stair at the Dubai Airshow which was exhibited by its customer and partner, Naffco Aviation.

Volvo is climate testing two buses built on the BZL electric chassis over six months, employing charging infrastructure by ABB.

Terberg RosRoca Vehicle Manufacturing LLC is based in Dubai Industrial City and has already began producing waste collection vehicles.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, headquartered in Kawasaki City in Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture, which is majority-owned by Daimler AG of Stuttgart, Germany and operates under the brand name Fuso, launched the new Canter in the United Arab Emirates in December.

Ashok Leyland Ltd, a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group, has launched two new passenger bus models – a 7m midi-bus, called GAZL and the latest version of the 11m Falcon Super with a Euro IV (EGR-only) engine for the markets of the Middle East.