Amazon is seeking solutions to address challenges posed by the Middle East's extreme heat on electric vehicles, as it accelerates its plans to use them for its UAE delivery fleet, a senior regional executive has said.
The world's largest online marketplace, which in 2022 committed to use 100,000 EVs for its last-mile deliveries globally by 2030, is “closely” coordinating with UAE authorities, as well as its other partners, Prashant Saran, director of operations at Amazon Turkey, Middle East and Africa, told The National.
“In this region, because of the extreme heat, there is not yet a scalable, fully-proven commercial electric vehicle model. Right now that is a challenge because of the temperature and the batteries,” Mr Saran said ahead of the fifth Amazon Prime Day in the UAE on July 16.
“But we see that as an opportunity. So, we are closely partnering with the government, with small and medium enterprises and original equipment manufacturers, as well as our delivery partners.”
Amazon convened them in a workshop late last year to look at “some of the challenges in this area and what can be done from a technology and policy perspective to be able to scale that up”, he said.
A timeline for the launch of the EV delivery fleet has yet to be determined, but the initiative is a “work in progress” that Amazon is “constantly piloting and testing”, Mr Saran said.
“We are already working with delivery service partners who are using electric scooters to deliver in some of the dense areas … we are extremely committed to this and the share of electric vehicles for us will keep on increasing over a bit of time,” he said.
An all-EV fleet will be able to help Amazon achieve its plans to achieve net-zero operations by 2040, as the world moves towards more sustainable forms of transport.
The Seattle-based company also cofounded The Climate Pledge in 2019, which is a commitment for organisations to become net-zero carbon by 2040 – a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal in 2050.
Amazon began using electric delivery vehicles from fellow US company Rivian in 2022. Currently, it has about 13,500 EVs operating on US roads and more than 1,300 in Europe.
In addition to the 100,000 Rivian vans it has pledged, Amazon has used more than 15 EV models of electric vehicles on the road, including delivery vehicles, e-cargo bikes and e-rickshaws, to “test and learn” across the US, the EU and India.
An EV fleet would help operational efficiency in the UAE – which has ramped up efforts to promote and put more EVs on its roads – and the Middle East, where Amazon has made significant investments: it has two major logistics hubs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and has boosted its capacity in the Emirates and Saudi Arabia by 70 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively.
“We are here for the long term and we are here to keep on raising the bar … for investments in infrastructure,” Mr Saran said.
Meanwhile, Amazon's fifth Prime Day in the UAE is expected to build on last year's, as more consumers lean towards more budget-friendly deals that influence their purchase decisions, said Stefano Martinelli, vice president of Amazon in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Globally, the 2023 edition of Amazon's biggest shopping event was the biggest ever in its history, with 375 million items sold and $2.5 billion saved by Prime customers, he said.
Amazon data shows that the number of UAE consumers shopping online each week has doubled, “giving us the confidence that there is a healthy growth in e-commerce”, Mr Martinelli told The National.
“Selection, pricing and convenience are still the three pillars that every customer wants over time.”
The UAE's e-commerce market is expected to reach $9.2 billion in 2026, up nearly 92 per cent from 2021, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce said in 2022.
The study, based on data from Euromonitor, also projected that the share of e-commerce in total retail sales will reach 12.6 per cent by 2026.
Growth momentum within the UAE’s e-commerce sector is being supported by rising demand for online shopping and steady investment flows in the sector’s infrastructure, the study said.
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash
5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy
Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Two products to make at home
Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
Method:
1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.
2. Shake well before use.
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
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THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Automatic
Power: 530bhp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh535,000
On sale: Now
Sting & Shaggy
44/876
(Interscope)
More from Neighbourhood Watch
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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