We are excited to present an insightful Q&A session with Lee Parker, an esteemed expert in sustainable and future mobility at the Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades in both the public and private sectors, Lee has been a pioneering force in the field. Notably, he authored the region's first Low Emission Vehicle Strategy in 2016 and has since spearheaded numerous transformative projects in the UK and the Middle East. His unwavering passion for creating a sustainable future is evident in his innovative work and dedication to advancing mobility solutions. Join us as Lee shares his expert perspectives on the future of mobility in the Middle East, the initiatives driving advancements, necessary infrastructure upgrades, and the global impact of forums dedicated to electric vehicles and mobility technology.

#GEMTECH: How is the future of mobility shaping up in the Middle East, and what opportunities does it hold?

#Lee Parker: This is an exciting region in terms of leading the global transition to sustainable and future mobility. The rapid growth in EV take up which is supported by EV infrastructure will lead to a sustainable mobility network. In the UAE, this will play a key role in achieving the net zero carbon emissions target by 2050 (target). There is also a significant focus on new technology which is being trialled, tested and deployed and creates opportunities for continued growth and investment. This extends to not only land-based mobility but sea and air mobility as well and making the connections between them seamless. The combination of sustainable and future mobility brings forward new possibilities for travel and in turn leads to greater efficiency, safety and an improved environment.

#GEMTECH: What specific initiatives are governments in the Middle East implementing to drive advancements in mobility for the future?

#Lee Parker: The transition to EVs requires new investment in EV infrastructure, both in terms of the deployment of charging stations and trials of battery, solar or wireless charging. This covers not only EV cars but all types of EV vehicles. The successful trials of Autonomous transport has also been encouraging and as the region shows a lot of potential to become a leading region in all forms of sustainable and technological advanced mobility.

#GEMTECH: What infrastructure upgrades or adaptations are necessary to facilitate the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles in the Middle East?

#Lee Parker: Much of the infrastructure in the region is already of good quality, with it being relatively new. The digital connections are also well advanced which plays a key role. Each city is different with some areas requiring very little infrastructure upgrades and other parts needing more. As AV technology advances the amount of infrastructure upgrades can become less with a strong digital coverage being the most important component.

#GEMTECH: How do events like the GEMTECH Forum contribute to advancing the future of electric vehicles and mobility technology on a global scale?

#Lee Parker: These events play a huge role in bringing together leading experts across the world from both the public and private sectors to exchange ideas and share. Learning from each other is key to advancing any technology and having events such as the GEMTECH Forum creates a positive environment for all parts of the sector to discuss progress.

Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are solely the personal opinions of the expert and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of any company or organisation.