Gaussin announced the testing of the first electric vehicles in Qatar at Ras Bufontas Free Zone. Gaussin, a leader in clean and intelligent cargo and people mobility, rolled out the first batch of Electric Terminal Tractors – the APM 75T – for QTerminals, a terminal operating company that manages and operates the first phase of Hamad Seaport.

The testing of the e-vehicles took place in front of Gaussin’s factory at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, and it was attended by H.E. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, the Minister of State and Chairman of QFZA, H.E. Franck Gellet, Ambassador, French Embassy; Capt. Abdulla Mohamed Al-khanji, CEO Qatar Ports Management Co. (Mwani Qatar), H.E Abdul Aziz Al Attiya, Chairman of Al Attiya Motors and Trading Co., Mr. Christophe Gaussin, Chief Executive Officer of Gaussin Company and Mr. Neville Bissett, CEO of QTerminals.

The fully electric vehicles will reduce Hamad seaport’s carbon emissions and support Qatar’s national ambition for the adoption of e-vehicles in Qatar’s public transport sector. These vehicles are capable of operating in hot weather conditions, which is essential during the summer months in Qatar and the Gulf region when temperatures can rise above 50 °C.

GAUSSIN announced in July 2020 the signing of an exclusive 20-year licence with Al Attiya Group, covering its electric vehicles dedicated to seaports, airports, logistics and Smart cities, as well as the creation of a joint-venture called GAME (Gaussin Advanced Mobility Electric) aimed at ensuring the long-term success of the partnership between the two players and accelerating the deployment of Gaussin Smart and zero emission vehicles in Qatar and the wider region.

To mark the occasion, H.E Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti said that producing the first batch of electric tractors for transporting containers at Hamad Port terminals in Qatar keeps pace with Ministry’s vision for supporting the national manufacturing and deploying the latest technologies that are based on environmental sustainability and clean energy. This step, he added, also supports Ministry’s plans for enhancing the localization of industry, expertise and the technology in use, in addition to localizing the actual operational processes for several mobility, transportation and communications projects in such a way that enriches the investment mentality of national companies, toward achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030.

H.E the Minister affirmed that producing this type of tractors will serve the Electric Vehicles Strategy that MoTC had developed with the concerned bodies which aims to support the country’s agenda for a green future. He concluded that other EV factories, to be established at Qatar free zones, will have a significant contribution to the rapid e-vehicles transformation and realizing the national vision.

H.E. Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Sayed, Minister of State and Chairman of QFZA said: “This is an exciting step forward for Qatar’s vision to deliver clean-energy transport and mobility solutions for the entire country. The production of the first ever e-vehicles in Qatar here in the Free Zones’ shows that our ambition to be the leading regional hub of the e-vehicle mobility sector is quickly becoming a reality. QFZA has a key role to play to support the national vision by attracting leading companies like Gaussin to Qatar. Qatar Free Zones’ advanced infrastructure, optimised supply chain access through our logistics offerings and seamless entry to local and regional markets are key factors that make us an attractive investment destination for the e-vehicle and mobility sectors.”

Abdul Aziz Al Attiya, Chairman of Al Attiya Motors and Trading Co. said: “Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company is very proud to partner with Gaussin to build the fully electrical specialised vehicles in Qatar. These vehicles have been designed to cope with harsh summer conditions and contribute positively to reduce Hamad seaport’s carbon emissions and support “Made in Qatar” initiative inspired by the wise vision of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and along with the pursuance of Qatar’s National Vision of 2030. We are very proud of our partnership with Qatar Free Zones and grateful to the unmatched support provided by QFZ to enable us to embark in such a ground-breaking business venture. The commencement of the production signals the beginning of the manufacturing of the most technologically advanced machines dedicated to serve Seaports, Airports, Logistics and Smart cities in Qatar, while promising to provide outstanding opportunities that will benefit both, the region and the globe.”

Christophe Gaussin, CEO of the GAUSSIN Group explained: “After announcing in January the signature of a contract for the acquisition by QTerminals of 22 APM 75T HE port tractors, we strengthened our position in Qatar with the announcement in July of a partnership with Al Attiya and a joint-venture with this major player in the country. For GAUSSIN, the commissioning of the first vehicle assembled in Qatar is the realisation of our regional expansion and an encouraging sign of the growing cooperation between Gaussin and its Qatari partners that promises a bright future, serving our common environmental ambitions.”

Mr. Neville Bissett, CEO of QTerminals said: the company intends to use the APM 75T in the port of Hamad (Container Terminal 2), for which the operator secured the concession in November 2018 from the Ministry for Transport and Communication of Qatar. The tractors will make a significant contribution to the achievement of its sustainable development targets and will be part of QTerminals’ efforts to reduce its carbon footprint in Hamad Port. The APM 75T HE tractors can operate efficiently in hot and humid climates. They are also safer and easier to maintain than traditional diesel powered tractors.”