Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala) and ENGIE, a worldwide energy leader, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a digital platform for charging electric vehicles in Abu Dhabi and the Middle East region.

Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to explore the development of a digital platform which will include a joint solution for the installation and operation of charging infrastructure in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Additionally, the parties will explore further areas of collaboration related to sustainable mobility.

With the transport sector known as a significant contributor of global carbon footprint, electric vehicles are being deemed as a key to support decarbonizing the mobility sector, with emissions from EVs up to 43% lower than traditionally fueled vehicles as reported by Carbon Brief. Developing an EV friendly digital platfrom can play an important role for the UAE to meet the goals of its Strategic Initiatives Net Zero by 2050.

The agreement was signed by Badr Al Olama, Executive Director at UAE Investments, in Mubadala Investment Company, and Ian Harfield, Managing Director of ENGIE Energy Solutions (GCC).

Commenting on this agreement, Badr Al Olama, Executive Director at UAE Investments, in Mubadala Investment Company said: “As a responsible investor, Mubadala is committed to driving sustainability in the UAE and the wider region by laying the foundation and advancing future focused sectors in the fields of technology and mobility. Our agreement with ENGIE will support developing a digital platform for charging electric vehicles, and creating accessible, safe and sustainable mobility solutions to support the UAE’s climate action agenda.”

Commenting on the strategic partnership, Ian Harfield, Managing Director of ENGIE Energy Solutions (GCC) said, “By 2030, 60% of the global population will live in cities. Therefore, sustainable mobility will emerge as one of the greatest challenges facing urban planners. Adoption of clean fuels and electrification of public and private transport systems will be key levers for reducing carbon emissions and pollutants in cities. This partnership with Mubadala puts Abu Dhabi and the UAE at the heart of this remarkable evolution towards a greener future. ”

“At ENGIE, we bring decades of global experience and expertise to the Middle East green energy marketplace. We ranked number one in France for (bio) gas fueling stations, second worldwide (excl. China) for EV charging retail and installation of charging devices, including ownership and operation of semi-public and public EV charging networks, and fourth in Europe for H2 fueling stations,” he added.