Abu Dhabi-UAE:21 January 2018 –  Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing quality infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, has awarded Emirates Motor Company (EMC) the first Abu Dhabi Certification for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. 

EMC, the authorised distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the flagship company of ALFAHIM, received the certification for the Mercedes wall-mounted 11kW and 22kW electric vehicle chargers. QCC has verified that the products conform to international electrical standards and they have undergone hot weather testing.

In collaboration with the Department of Transport, the QCC-certified chargers will be installed in the parking areas of 10 shopping malls in Abu Dhabi.
Engineer Abdullah Hassan Al Muaini, Executive Director of Conformity Scheme Services at QCC, said: “The Abu Dhabi Certification Scheme for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment aligns with the ongoing efforts of the Abu Dhabi Government to promote environmentally friendly transport in the emirate. The scheme will facilitate the use of electric vehicles through improving the charging infrastructure.”  

He added: “In addition to cutting down on harmful CO2 emissions and protecting the environment, our initiatives drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life for our citizens and residents. We congratulate EMC on becoming the first automobile dealer in Abu Dhabi to earn this certification and invite other dealers to apply.”

For his part, Engineer Khalid Hashim, Executive Director, Land Transport Sector at Department of Transport (DoT), said: “DoT supports all local initiatives designed to promote environmentally friendly vehicles as part of our efforts to meet the objectives of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. The anticipated population growth in Abu Dhabi mandates an increase in environmentally friendly transport and the provision of necessary infrastructure to keep up with the latest developments in transport sector. Through our collaboration with local players, we seek to support the growing trend towards electric cars including the establishment of electric charging stations to encourage more people to opt for zero-emission technologies, while protecting both the environment and public health in the emirate.”

Frank Bernthaler, CEO of Al Fahim Automotive CEO, said: “Contributing to the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 is one of our main business pillars with sustainability being at the forefront. We are honoured that our flagship company, EMC, is the first QCC-certified entity in the emirate as it ensures that we are in compliance with the country’s quality standards, while enabling us to fulfil our strategy of reducing our carbon footprint and bettering the quality of life for all from an environmental perspective.

“Our plan in 2018 is to ensure we are present in the most populous areas in the city for customer convenience and to generate further awareness on the importance of being environmentally conscious,” he concluded. 

QCC launched the Abu Dhabi Certification Scheme for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment in June 2017 to support The Electricity Wiring Regulation Addendum No. 1: Electric Vehicles Charging Systems, issued by the Regulation & Supervision Bureau. The scheme seeks to ensure that public as well as private installations meet international safety standards and are designed for operation in local conditions.

In a bid to reduce air pollution, the Abu Dhabi Government is developing the low- and zero-emission transport segment through investing in the appropriate infrastructure and quality assurance activities. The emirate has formed a Technical Committee to implement its Low-emission Vehicle Strategy, led by the Department of Transport. The uptake of electric vehicles in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE has the potential to bring tremendous benefits to the public through improving air quality.

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council was established in 2009 to raise the quality of the emirate’s exports and locally traded products while protecting the interests of consumers and supporting the UAE’s competitive economy. QCC empowers regulators to implement product safety, legal metrology and conformity schemes. The Council also sets guidelines and benchmarks to verify that products manufactured and traded in Abu Dhabi conform to the highest quality standards.