SingAuto to build its first int’l EV truck manufacturing hub in the UAE

Singapore-based EV maker SingAuto has received preliminary approval to establish an EV manufacturing hub in Abu Dhabi to produce electric refrigeration trucks, CEO Chris Chen told The National on the sidelines of the company launch of its SingAuto S1 cold chain logistics vehicle. The value of the project wasn’t disclosed and construction is pending final regulatory approval. SingAuto received an investment of USD 45 mn from an undisclosed UAE investor in February.

The rationale: The launch of the commercial vehicle marks the first international expansion for the Singaporean firm, which “chose Abu Dhabi as the starting point of its overseas journey, not only because the UAE is the innovation and economic center of the Middle East, but also the frontier of the clean energy and high-tech industries,” according to a statement.

The details: SignAuto launched Xinya Technology, the maker of the S1 model, earlier this year to support the development of the cold chain transportation industry — transportation of temperature-sensitive products along a supply chain through thermal and refrigerated packaging methods — with plans to expand globally under its New Asia Technology plan. Xinya and the UAE signed a cooperation agreement in February to explore the potential of setting up a manufacturing hub.

More about the truck: The electric refrigeration truck is fully autonomous and boasts a 400 km driving range, 128 kWh battery capacity, and an 18 cbm storage capacity. It can also charge from 20% to 80% in around 40 minutes.

About SingAuto: SingAuto is a tech company specialising in new-energy intelligent refrigerated vehicles, according to their website. They combine research, development, and manufacturing of feeder logistics products with software development and tech services. The company also has no plans to produce passenger EVs and will focus only on commercial ones, its CEO added to the National.

UAE to become an EV powerhouse: UAE-based AI and tech company Zero Gravity is partnering with China’s Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus to establish a USD 300 mn facility to manufacture long-range electric buses and vehicles in Abu Dhabi. US-based solar EV firm Aptera Motors is also expanding into the UAE market with a limited production of its Etihad Edition model. Abu Dhabi launched the AED 120 bn (USD 32.7 bn) Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster in October with the aim of positioning itself as a major high-tech vehicle hub.