Ajman offers free parking for electric cars

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Ajman has become the first of the seven emirates to offer free parking for electric cars, an environment ministry official has revealed.

Fahad Hareb, the director of the Air Quality Department at the UAE's newly renamed Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said the government is working with municipalities to incentivise citizens to use environmentally friendly cars, according to Khaleej Times.

He reportedly told the newspaper: "The Ajman Municipality has offered free parking for anyone who has an electric or eco-friendly car.

"We are putting together the regulations to ensure that it is done properly, mostly by mid-year.

"We hope such perks will encourage people to go for eco-friendly cars."

Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are also understood to be preparing to introduce free parking for electric cars.

The newspaper said that, in Dubai, said the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has agreed to provide free Salik (toll gate) tags and special parking for electric cars.

Other proposed incentives include designated slots for eco-friendly vehicles, to make it easier for drivers to find a space.

The UAE has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and energy use across the country.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), told the newspaper electric cars is a new concept in the Middle East but one that should be promoted more widely.

"People here are not yet used to buying this kind of cars yet. But the positive impact and environmental solutions offered by this concept make it imperative for all the parties concerned to work on setting an effective strategy that can contribute in spreading this concept in the near future, he was quoted as saying.

Oman's Nur Majan is reportedly the first electric car to be manufactured in the Gulf and will be brought to market in the UAE by 2019, the newspaper said.

Source: Ajman offers free parking for electric cars