Rickshaws – you know, those charming, buzzing, occasionally-death-defying three-wheelers you cling onto for dear life in India and other parts of South Asia – are basically mythical creatures in the UAE. Like unicorns. Or decent parking at The Dubai Mall. Unless you’ve joyfully squealed your way through Global Village in one, chances are you’ve never rickshaw’d around these parts. But that might change soon. And I don’t mean in the noisy, smoke-spewing way that you’d expect.
The Mobility Startup With Major Desi Vibes
Now, here’s where EDaddy comes into the picture (no, don’t confuse it with the candy floss Dubai chocolate going viral right now). So, this electric mobility startup with a name that sounds like it’s either launching scooters or a techy parenting app – thankfully, it’s the former – have announced plans to manufacture proper electric three-wheelers. Yes, rickshaws – right here in the UAE! Not imported or assembled! Made. In. The. Emirates.
They dropped this delightful bombshell at the Make it in the Emirates exhibition in Abu Dhabi, where they also revealed their very flash new electric bike, the X7. Inspired by the seven emirates and the UAE’s national bird (the majestic, sharp-eyed, mildly terrifying falcon), this two-wheeler isn’t just a looker. It zips up to 180 km/h, runs 200 km on a single charge, and is built for delivery drivers and your thrill-seeking alter ego.
The bike will cost between AED 12,000 to AED 15,000, depending on which bells and whistles you fancy. And yes, it’s already in the testing stage with two manufacturing facilities up and running. One is in the National Industrial Park and the other in Dubai Industrial City. Expansion into Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD is also in the pipeline.
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Battery Swaps, Smart Tech, and… Electric Rickshaws?
But wait, there’s more! EDaddy isn’t just rolling out sexy bikes and calling it a day. Oh no, they’ve also got battery-swapping stations in the works. Picture this: you’re a delivery rider, you’ve zipped through 200 km, your battery’s flatter than a day-old karak, and instead of waiting hours to recharge, you swap it out in two minutes. TWO. And you’re back on the road before your playlist even changes songs.
They’ve also developed something very sci-fi sounding. The Thunderbolt X platform, which tracks everything from battery health to driver behaviour, and even has a camera to monitor blind spots. Basically, your two-wheeler becomes a smart vehicle with the instincts of a bodyguard. Ah, what’s not to love!
And the head-turner? The company confirmed plans to manufacture electric three-wheelers (think: desi-style tuk-tuks) in the UAE for global markets, including Africa, India, and possibly even the local scene. With rickshaws still missing from the UAE’s roads, this move could mark a major shift in how the country approaches affordable, sustainable mobility. Imagine that: cruising down Jumeirah Beach Road in a silent, solar-powered tuk-tuk. You can thank us for your future Instagram content!
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