Electric vehicles have been instrumental in creating an alternative for fossil fuel driven mobility, but adoption of the eco-friendly transport option still remains a challenge globally. In its quest to cut down carbon emissions, the Emirates has also set a target for 10% of all cars on its roads to be hybrid or electric vehicles by 2030.
Having a strong infrastructure for charging cars can be the driving force for motorists to embrace EVs, and that’s an area where innovation can change the game. A Saudi-based inventor has patented technology which secures power supply for a vehicle from the energy generated from using the motion of its wheels.
Mutlaq Bin Sanhat Al Otaibi’s device connects electric generators to the metallic part of the wheels, and channels kinetic energy into electricity. Apart from solving issues like lack of EV charging stations, the tech also cuts down emissions further by reducing power demand for conventional chargers.
In case vehicles use up extra electricity during summers, Al Otaibi has also added solar panels which create an additional reservoir of power in the day. He developed the technology to save time and cost of owning an EV two years back, and secured a patent in Germany.
The innovative solution can back even more eco-friendly transport in the Emirates which already has the world’s second highest ratio of charging points per EVs. With 82% people in the country considering an e-car as their next vehicle, charging on the go can convince even more people to dump fossil fuel guzzlers.
Two major oil rich states Saudi Arabia and UAE, are both turning their attention towards renewable sources of energy and electric mobility in the quest to develop smart cities. Brands like Renault have also launched fully electric trucks with solar panels on top to power mobile refrigeration units.
Smartphone apps to point drivers towards nearest charging stations, and robots with chargers that drive themselves to EVs, are being developed in a bid to push electric vehicle adoption in the fast lane.
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