From Left to Right: Simon Pavitt, London Technology Club COO, Dimitra Theodoropulos, Director of Sustainability at Talabat, Farid Fawad Dallal, Founder, Motoboy, Alexander Lemzakov, CEO of Wize, and Raji Hatter, Chief Sustainability Officer at Aramex
Alexander Lemzakov, CEO of Wize, a B2B innovative car subscription and digital leasing platform in the UAE, provides the most sustainable solutions for last-mile delivery. Focusing on emission reduction, efficiency enhancement, and customer satisfaction, Wize has developed a comprehensive ecosystem to help delivery and retail businesses meet the UAE’s net zero requirements and follow the UAE Green Agenda. Their advanced battery monitoring systems, coupled with predictive maintenance solutions, introduce the groundbreaking concept of battery-as-a-service. Wize Power a battery delivery and battery centric cloud software is focused on battery-as-a-service for 3PL, last mile operators to achieve fleet zero downtime. Moreover, the company is the first to install battery-swapping stations in the UAE as part of this ecosystem. This will enable drivers to easily exchange batteries when needed. Wize has developed its own software component of the battery-as-a-service that allows it to manage battery swapping stations and monitor the condition of all batteries.
The company is focused on digital solutions for businesses as well as on developing sustainable infrastructure in the region. Speaking on the challenges posed by extreme climates in the GCC, Alexander emphasized, “Wize’s mission revolves around transforming leasing models, making it affordable and sustainable for batteries. We’re focused on creating a balanced approach to bike importation, aiming to establish an infrastructure supportive of electric vehicles in the region.” Wize pioneers specialized batteries that automatically mitigate overheating risks, ensuring both safety and operational efficiency. Alexander envisions a future where nuclear-powered stations might synergize with their technology. The company also foresees a circular economy by repurposing used batteries for energy storage.
Wize's mission revolves around transforming leasing models, making it affordable and sustainable for batteries. We’re focused on creating a balanced approach to bike importation, aiming to establish an infrastructure supportive of electric vehicles in the region.” Alexander Lemzakov, CEO of Wize
Dimitra Theodoropulos, Director of Sustainability at Talabat, shed light on the multifaceted challenges surrounding the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and their potential impact. Highlighting the need to shift focus from challenges to solutions, she advocates for a phased approach, starting small and progressively expanding EV integration. According to Dimitra, while the transition to EVs might not immediately impact Talabat’s bottom line, it holds potential for reducing overall value chain costs in the future. “Key obstacles include infrastructure readiness, grid limitations, high capital expenditure, uncertainties about EV components’ longevity in regional climates, battery disposal concerns, and standardization among EV providers, posing significant hurdles in the transition,” she said.
From Aramex’s perspective, flexibility and efficiency are key. While they’ve recently acquired 10 bikes for their fleet, Aramex prefers leasing vehicles for agility, enabling tailored leasing options based on immediate needs, promoting a pay-as-you-use model rather than owning idle assets. Raji Hatter, Chief Sustainability Officer at Aramex said, “Sustainability involves more than just transitioning to EVs; it’s about optimizing business processes and reducing congestion. Aramex implements “mini-hubs” and mobile offices, reducing emissions by 40% in specific areas. Partnerships are crucial, especially in sharing infrastructure like charging stations.” Emphasizing a holistic approach, Raji highlighted the need to rethink entire business models rather than solely relying on EVs for sustainability.
Meanwhile, Motoboy, the UAE’s sole RTA-approved electric bike logistics provider, has made its debut in Dubai, emphasizing collaborations with Wise and Talabat for sustainability. Despite infrastructural limitations, Motoboy has successfully conducted trials, eyeing B2C partnerships to enhance sustainable electric bike deliveries for individual needs. Farid Fawad Dallal, Motoboy’s Founder, underscores customer-centricity and sustainability as their key differentiators in a competitive market. He further added, “Motoboy intends to responsibly handle battery life by repurposing them for communities in need, aiming to donate rather than discard batteries.”
The event highlighted and concluded with a collective commitment towards innovative, sustainable, and customer-centric solutions, driving the future of smart mobility.