The two-day exhibition and conference at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on the 29th and 30th of May, features a high caliber of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and sustainability experts.

Lukas Sokol, Head of Master Planning at Masdar City, will shed light on Masdar City’s pioneering experience in introducing electric and autonomous vehicles to Abu Dhabi - during a presentation titled: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in the Middle East, from 3:05 to 3:25 pm, on Monday.

Mr. Sokol will also propose options to make EVs more feasible for consumers, such as opting for smaller, less weighted batteries that could enhance their vehicle’s performance and speed-up charging time.

He will speak about several solutions that autonomous vehicles, with the right infrastructure, could offer to overcome daily challenges, such as parking and charging.

Steve Severance, Director of Growth at Masdar City, will highlight practical steps that Abu Dhabi and the region’s cities can take to catch up with the rest of the world in spreading the use of electric vehicles.

During a panel discussion titled: Enabling and Financing Electric Vehicle Innovation in the Middle East, from 2:20 to 3:05 pm on Tuesday, Mr. Severance will provide examples of success stories worldwide that can be tailored for the region.

Panelists will also discuss how to accelerate innovation across the EV value chain, support the creation of new startups, research and development, and the crucial role of financing and investments in making the transition to EVs a reality.

The panel includes several prominent experts, including HSBC’s Senior Manager of Sustainable Finance Jonathan Keyes, Abu Dhabi Ports’ Director of Corporate Innovation Pablo Olivera Brizzio, and Etisalat Services Holding’s head of mobility Khaled Saif, among others.