In a joint effort to decrease emissions and global environmental footprint, Al-Futtaim Toyota, leader in sustainable mobility since 2008, handed over 454 Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) to Arabia Taxi, member of Arabia Holdings Group of companies and one of the UAE’s largest taxi operators, as part of a larger deal of 1000 Toyota cars that comprises Camry HEV, Prius and petrol engine Camry.

Thanks to their superb fuel efficiency of 26km/L, it is estimated that each of the Toyota HEVs saves around 88 tons of CO₂ through its lifecycle as a taxi with Arabia Taxi’s fleet. This totals to a collective 40,000 tons of CO2 reduction when in operation for 850,000 km.

Commenting on the handover, Saud Abbasi, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Toyota said: “Arabia Taxi has been our loyal partner since 2005, and among the early adopters of  our efficient and responsible HEV mobility solutions.  They had previously ordered a fleet of 50 Prius, making them the first taxi fleet operator in the UAE to use a Prius in their ranks. With the great fuel and CO2 savings that their new green fleet presents, Arabia Taxi will undeniably be one of the major enablers of the sustainability targets set within the UAE Vision 2021”.

PSM Habibulla Khan, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Arabia Holdings also said: “The Toyota Camry has proven its credentials not only in the UAE but the world over. With the new Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle, we will be enjoying not only the reliability of Camry but also its great fuel and CO2 savings. The new green fleet which makes up 45% of our new Toyota order,  will help us speed up the cycle of reaching the UAE Vision 2021 goals of a more sustainable society, while offering our customers enjoyable and smooth rides”

The newly launched Camry HEV delivers 70% better fuel efficiency compared to petrol-engine cars.  Since its debut in 1982 and subsequent evolution over eight generations, Toyota Camry has come to be embraced by people around the world for its excellent performance and high level of Quality, Durability, and Reliability (QDR). The introduction of an electrified version of the Camry cements Toyota’s continued efforts to create ever-better cars and further reiterates its commitment to environmental sustainability.

The Toyota Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle (petrol-electric) when initially launched in 1997, and has since sold over 3.7 million cars around the globe. The new Prius employs a petrol engine and an electric motor, and can be powered by the engine, the electric motor or a combination of both, automatically choosing the most efficient mode for the best mileage and lowest emissions. The Prius also features enhanced safety in a more compact package that is lighter in weight with world class aerodynamic.