Couriers using electric motorcycles in Abu Dhabi can now replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in seconds. ADNOC Distribution and the startup Terra Tech have launched the capital’s first fast battery-swap station at one of the network’s central fuel stations.
The technology is simple: a rider arrives at the station, removes the discharged battery, takes a fully charged one, and continues the route. The procedure takes less than a minute, while regular charging requires several hours. For delivery services operating in dense city traffic, this time saving translates directly into financial gains.
Why it matters for the city and business
Property professionals are noting growing investor interest in areas with well-developed green infrastructure. Companies establishing logistics hubs and offices now view access to sustainable transport as a competitive advantage. UAE, Dubai real estate news today increasingly focuses on sustainability, and Abu Dhabi is actively aligning itself with this trend.
Abu Dhabi Mobility has set a goal to increase the share of electric transport to 50% by 2040. The Terra Tech station becomes part of this strategy — implemented not through government programs but via commercial partnership. ADNOC Distribution provides the infrastructure and locations, while Terra Tech contributes the technology and expertise in electric motorcycles.
Hussam Zammar, founder of Terra Tech, says that ADNOC’s network of fuel stations solves the key issue of e-mobility — accessibility. Drivers are already accustomed to visiting fuel stations, and now the exact locations offer battery-swap points. This geographic coverage allows the solution to scale without building entirely new facilities.
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What delivery companies gain
Switching to electric motorcycles with battery-swap systems offers delivery services several advantages:
- No expenses for fuel and motor oil
- Minimal maintenance compared to gasoline-powered bikes
- Ability to operate all day without long charging breaks
- Reduced CO2 emissions, which is crucial for companies with ESG reporting
Terra Tech has been operating since 2021 and has already built a network of stations in other emirates. The company provides a full solution — electric motorcycles and the infrastructure to support them. Abu Dhabi marks the next phase of expansion, and the choice of partner is logical: ADNOC Distribution manages the country’s largest network of fuel stations and is gradually transforming it to meet the needs of electric transport.
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The battery-swap model solves the main challenge of electric vehicles in commercial use — downtime. A courier cannot afford to wait three or four hours for a battery to charge. A one-minute replacement makes an electric motorcycle just as convenient a work tool as a conventional one. The station is already operational, and Terra Tech plans to open new locations across the emirate. For Abu Dhabi, this is a step toward fulfilling its climate commitments and building infrastructure that supports clean transport as part of everyday life.
