24-year-old Zach Faizal unveils UAE’s first home-grown petrol-to-electric repurposed vehicle
Zach promises to deliver repurposed car at almost half cost of new EV
Abu Dhabi: In a major breakthrough on the sidelines of COP28, Dubai-based start-up Peec Mobility is set to debut the UAE's first home-grown petrol-to-electric repurposed vehicle. Founded by 24-year-old entrepreneur Zach Faizal in 2022, Peec Mobility's innovative technology promises to play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions on UAE roads and aligning with the nation's Net-Zero goals.
The technology developed by Peec Mobility is a cost-effective alternative to mass scrapping of existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle fleets. By repurposing retired petrol vehicles while retaining their body and chassis, the start-up aims to transform them into electric vehicles with a 30% lower cost and an 80% reduction in manufacturing time compared to producing new electric vehicles.
Zach Faizal, the visionary behind Peec Mobility, envisions this technology as a game-changer for the Middle East region. He emphasizes that re-engineering offers a quicker, smoother, and greener transition to electric mobility than purchasing new electric vehicles. Faizal's promise is to deliver repurposed cars at nearly half the cost of new electric vehicles, making them more accessible to a wider audience.
“Today, re-engineering is quicker, smoother and greener than buying new EVs, and proves cost-efficient,” said Zach Faizal, who promises to deliver a repurposed car at almost half the cost of a new EV. “For instance, an average electric car on the market is priced at around $52,000. Peec’s vehicles are aimed to be priced at 30 per cent to 50 per cent lower with the volumes we’re looking at. Thus solving the affordability challenge in the sector,” Zach Faizal was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.
Peec Mobility's focus extends beyond individual cars, with an ambitious plan to repurpose entire fleets of ICE buses, cars, and trucks on UAE roads. Zach Faizal believes in the efficacy of reusing existing vehicles, emphasizing that "waste is minimized, and a new life cycle begins."
The start-up's first line-up of reinvented mid-sized sedans and buses, featuring a smart paint job, Flyknit-style upholstery, and retrofitted home-designed electric engines, will be unveiled at the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference.
Zach Faizal aims to collaborate with the government to implement this conversion at scale and create a replicable model from the UAE to the world. Zach Faizal aspires to support the UAE Net Zero goal by reducing 23% of emissions from the transportation sector by 2030. He proposes implementing a policy to repurpose just 5.0% of existing vehicles on the road every year for the next seven years.
Peec Mobility's plan is not limited to the UAE; Zach Faizal envisions taking the conversion model to other countries, redefining the used-car market globally. Recognizing that setting up local ReFactories is a key strategy to reduce capital expenditure in the short term, Zach Faizal believes it is crucial to invest less in the capex of vehicles until 2030. The goal is to prioritize building a robust charging infrastructure globally, paving the way for heavy manufacturing plants and gigafactories in the future.
“Conversion is the most pragmatic route to Net-Zero. One we can succeed with our business strategy here, we will take it to other countries to redefine the used-car market,” said Zach Faizal.
As of now, Peec Mobility is on track to unveil at least 500 repurposed EVs operating on Dubai roads by 2024.
“The number one limiting factor to electric vehicle adoption is the lack of charging infrastructure, not the vehicles themselves. Our strategy and goal is to work with governments and bring awareness of the idea, until 2030, of investing less in the capex of the vehicles (repurpose them) and invest the bigger amount in charging infrastructure. And once by 2030, we have a robust charging infra globally, we can move into heavy manufacturing plants and gigafactories.” He further added.
Zach Faizal is the son of Faizal Kottikollon and Shabana Faizal, a well-known Indian entrepreneur couple based in the UAE. The couple is not only known for their business endeavors but also for their philanthropic contributions.
Shabana hails from Mangaluru in the Karnataka state of India. She is the only daughter of prominent businessman and socio-religious leader Late B Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen who founded the prestigious BA Group of Businesses in Thumbay near Mangaluru.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
