BYD has expanded its electric vehicle offerings in the United Arab Emirates with the launch of four new commercial vehicle models designed for delivery and public transportation. This move further solidifies BYD’s presence in the UAE’s growing market for green mobility solutions.
Al-Futtaim, BYD’s partner in the UAE, has also become a strategic investor in the company. The launch event, held in Dubai on February 26th, showcased the following electric commercial vehicles:
- ETM6: An all-electric truck with a 3.6-ton load capacity, designed for urban logistics. It features a 126-kWh blade battery pack.
- Light Truck T5: This truck has a 4-ton load capacity and is equipped with a 132-kWh blade battery pack, also for urban logistics.
- Medium-duty truck ETH8: With a capacity of 10 tons, this model is equipped with a 255-kWh blade battery pack for heavier commercial tasks.
- B12 electric bus: A 12-meter-long city bus featuring a 425 kWh blade battery, offering a range of up to 550 kilometers.
BYD stated that the introduction of these vehicles represents a significant step in providing local businesses and public transportation operators with viable green mobility choices. In a separate announcement, BYD revealed plans to raise HK$43.5 billion ($5.6 billion) in Hong Kong through the issuance of new H shares. The Al-Futtaim family office, based in the UAE, participated in this deal as a strategic investor. Looking ahead, BYD and Al-Futtaim intend to forge a strategic partnership to deepen their collaboration in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector.
Al-Futtaim Group, established in the 1930s and headquartered in the UAE, has a wide reach, working with over 200 international brands across more than 20 countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. This collaboration builds upon their existing partnership; in June 2023, BYD and Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility launched the Atto 3 (known as the Yuan Plus in China) in the UAE, marking BYD’s entry into the UAE passenger car market.
BYD’s commercial NEV sales have seen substantial growth. According to figures released on March 1st, BYD sold 4,613 commercial NEVs in February, reflecting a 719.36 percent increase compared to the same month last year, and a 12.73 percent increase from January. For the January-February period, the company sold 8,705 commercial NEVs, representing a 739.44 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
