Electric, hybrid cabs to be deployed on Kingdom’s streets this week

AMMAN — Electric cabs will be offering rides on the country’s streets as of the end of this week, according to Noor Jordan for Transport — Taxi Moumayaz, which is the first company to introduce electric taxis in the country.

The company will replace its 400 gasoline-run taxis with 100 electric vehicles and 300 hybrid vehicles as of the end of this week, its chairman, Eid Abu Al Haj, said Monday. 

“These vehicles are less costly and cleaner for the environment; this falls in line with Jordan’s efforts towards increased adoption of green technology. Jordan is pioneering in the region in this regard,” Abu Al Haj told The Jordan Times over the phone.

The electric cars will be charged at several charging stations, he said.

“Work is also underway in cooperation with Nissan and the Greater Amman Municipality to build a solar-powered electric car charging station in Al Mahatta area in Amman.”

“Using these cars will help reduce oil consumption and result in savings of 70-75 per cent in cost,” Abu Al Haj noted, adding that the company has plans to increase the number of electric cars in the future.

Last month, the government announced that it has started a pioneering multi-phased project to switch the bulk of its public sector fleet to energy-efficient and eco-friendly electric vehicles.

The project’s first phase was launched in October 2015, with the introduction of 300 vehicles. 

Following an assessment of the first phase, the government plans to gradually replace all 20,000 public sector vehicles in service with electric cars, saving an estimated JD25-28 million annually. 

Facts on electric cars

• According to feasibility studies conducted during a pilot period, the cost of recharging electric vehicles consuming less than 750 kilowatts is between JD2.5 and JD15 per full charge.

• Tested electric vehicles travel 120-400 kilometres per full charge depending on vehicle type, while charging needs between 20 minutes and eight hours depending on capacity and charger type.

• The journey from Amman to Aqaba costs JD10-JD17 in electric vehicles compared to JD35-50 in gasoline-powered vehicles.

• The annual maintenance of gasoline vehicles costs between JD200-JD400 while for electric vehicles it is JD70.

Source: official figures