Self-Driving Electric Trucks Begin Operations in UAE Industrial Zone

Self-driving electric trucks have officially entered commercial service in the UAE, following a pioneering collaboration between autonomous vehicle developer Evocargo and RAK Ceramics.

The Evocargo N1 trucks are now fully integrated into RAK Ceramics’ logistics network at the Al Jazeera Al Hamra industrial zone in Ras Al Khaimah, where they transport products between key facilities. The launch marks the first deployment of autonomous logistics vehicles of its kind in the country.

Evocargo says the N1 trucks can operate in dynamic environments, interpreting road signs, lane markings, pedestrian crossings and other infrastructure features in real time. The vehicles have a range of up to 200 kilometres on a single charge and operate continuously, pausing only for charging and loading or unloading.

The trucks are powered by a fifth-generation autopilot system and an AI-based multi-sensor platform supported by a four-layer safety framework. LIDARs, sonars and cameras feed data into an onboard computer, which processes and adapts to changing road conditions.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Shaheem Musthafa, CEO of Evocargo Autonomous Logistic Services UAE. “We achieve it through advanced technology and continuous monitoring. The trucks operate fully autonomously from start to finish, with telemetry and performance data constantly feeding into our remote Fleet Monitoring Centre.”

Currently, one operator monitors ten vehicles from the centre, with plans to scale up to 100 vehicles per operator in the future. In case of irregularities, the operator can remotely stop any truck, while the autopilot’s layered safety system ensures reliable operation.

Evocargo’s subscription-based “robots-as-a-service” model is designed to make autonomous logistics more accessible to businesses without requiring upfront capital investment.

For RAK Ceramics, the initiative supports its sustainability strategy by improving logistics efficiency and reducing emissions. The company says adopting autonomous electric vehicles reflects its commitment to innovation and aligns with the UAE’s broader green development goals.

The deployment comes amid a nationwide push to expand autonomous mobility. In Abu Dhabi, driverless delivery bots are undergoing trials in Masdar City, while WeRide has launched autonomous taxi pilots in Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi through a partnership with Uber. Dubai has also unveiled a personal Level-4 robocar designed for individual use.

Although current regulations restrict autonomous vehicle use to approved zones such as logistics hubs, smart city districts and controlled industrial areas, the UAE is steadily widening its regulatory framework. Its national mobility strategy aims for 25 percent of all journeys in Dubai to be autonomous by 2030.

As pilot projects expand and legislation evolves, autonomous vehicles are expected to move beyond testing phases and play a growing role in logistics, public transport and mobility services across the country.