Business conglomerate Crescent Enterprises and environmental and waste management company Bee’ah have launched ION a major joint venture providing sustainable commercial transportation.
In a statement, the partners explained that ION is dedicated to the development, acquisition and management of electric vehicle (EV) fleets for commercial use, deployed through platforms such as ride-hailing services, as well as corporate and government fleets.
Announced to coincide with World Environment Day, the joint venture plans to deploy fleets of energy-efficient Tesla vehicles to complement the transport network across nine cities in the MENA region. With a phased roll out planned until 2020, the collaborative effort will also align with the establishment of a regulatory framework governing the use of electric vehicles in the target markets, they added. ION is also planned to eventually include power generation and storage products.
“We are delighted to join forces with Crescent Enterprises in this game-changing initiative dedicated to enhancing the sustainability of sectors such as transportation across the MENA region. As a company that actively facilitates the adoption of a green economy, we understand the role of environment-friendly transportation in reducing our overall carbon footprint. We believe that ION will play an instrumental role in consolidating the UAE’s green credentials,” said Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO, Bee’ah. “Bee’ah has been an early adopter of green technology and has invested in a number of initiatives that showcase our passion for integrating innovation with eco-friendly practices. We have optimised our services by deploying a fleet of smart vehicles, including Tesla’s new Semi trucks, while the former’s state-of-the-art Powerpack has facilitated our ambition of turning our new headquarters into a net zero energy building. The historic launch of ION represents yet another milestone on our journey towards a greener and more sustainable future.”
Aspiring to play a prominent role in the conversation about electric cars, ION is also seeking to engage with electric utility regulators, road transport authorities, legislators, environmental agencies and customer groups to gain insights and shape policies that will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
Samer Choucair, VP of CE-Creates, the business incubation division of Crescent Enterprises, added: “In line with the UAE Vision 2021, and the UAE Government’s ambitious clean energy targets, ION is setting a new precedent for private sector participation in this sustainability drive – not just through dialogue but real action. Our goal is to roll out a fully green fleet management enterprise in the UAE and across the wider region. We are proud to take this revolutionary step with Bee’ah – a company we deeply admire for its focus on environmental sustainability – and look forward to positioning ION as a leader in this space.
“Energy policies in the region have witnessed significant shifts in recent years as a matter of economic, social and environmental necessity. We believe that this venture will pave the way for positive and fundamental behavioural changes that can accelerate the drive towards a sustainable zero-emission transport system.”
ION conducted a pilot of its fleet of turquoise Tesla Model S electric vehicles in Dubai through the ride-hailing service, Careem in May 2018 and users of the application can now book ION’s electric cars for a ride anywhere in Dubai. The company is additionally in talks with regulators to expand its UAE fleet operations to Abu Dhabi by Q3 2018.