ABU DHABI // A record-breaking convoy of about 500 eco-friendly vehicles from different government departments gathered to celebrate National Day, flying the UAE flag while driving from Saadiyat Island to Yas Island.
Called the Green March, the drive was intended to raise awareness about the use of clean natural gas for vehicles.
Most of the vehicles were from the taxi regulatory authority TransAD, Masdar, the Department of Municipal Affairs and the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority.
TransAD, which has converted about 25 per cent of its fleet to natural gas, is aiming to change all taxis in the coming years, said Mohammed Al Hosani, director of franchise and licensing at the authority.
Of the 7,147 taxis in the fleet, about 1,800 have been converted to compressed natural gas.
Masdar also demonstrated its seven electric cars, which represented the seven emirates of the UAE.
The previous record for the number of eco-friendly vehicles on parade was set in Japan with 300.
Naser Al Marzouqi, head of facilities management at Masdar, was pleased that yesterday’s event broke that record.
“Through this we aim to spread the message of reducing carbon emissions and using a sustainable mode of transportation,” Mr Al Marzouqi said.
Cars running on clean gas emit about 90 per cent less carbon than cars using petrol.
Electric vehicles produce no carbon emissions and are 100 per cent environmentally friendly, Mr Al Marzouqi said.
