Fuel-efficient hybrid cars could be hitting Abu Dhabi roads in the near future if Saleh Al Amiri?s dream project materialises into a viable auto model.

Al Amiri and his group is one of 11 teams competing in the region?s first hybrid-electric car race for engineering students that will be held at Abu Dhabi?s Al Forsan racetrack from January 29-31.

The event is organised by Taqa, the Abu Dhabi-based international energy company, in cooperation with the Petroleum Institute.

Al Amiri said the hybrid car was put together by his team in just one month, has super safety features. ?It can go to 60km/h, but the current design can?t move backward,? said Al Amiri.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a press conference held at the Galleria Mall on Monday to unveil two hybrid cars made by them. However, he admits it was a challenge to design and build a car based on alternative energy technologies. ?We have used a battery made from lithium, magnesium and phosphate and the car can run for three to four hours.?

The cost of building a hybrid car was around $10,000 (Dh37,000).

Al Amiri said after the competition he plans to improvise on the design and have it exhibited at the World Expo 2020.

Courtesy : Gulf News
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/education/uae-students-unveil-hybrid-cars-1.1278056