6 days ago
How Dubai is reinventing mobility—And why Indian startups should pay attention
Autonomous taxis are on the horizon, hybrid vehicles are already navigating city streets, and flying taxis are moving from concept to reality. Dubai is steadily transforming the way a modern city moves, guided by a vision of cleaner, smarter, and more efficient mobility. What sets Dubai apart is its unique fusion of advanced technology, strategic foresight, and a collaborative ecosystem that blends global partnerships with homegrown innovation.
For India, where the dialogue around electric vehicles, logistics technology, and urban infrastructure is rapidly evolving, Dubai serves as a compelling reference point. In this piece, we examine what India can learn from Dubai's ambitious mobility initiatives—and the lessons they offer for cities reimagining the future of urban transportation.
On the way to autonomy and sustainability- Dubai's green and driverless vision
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has partnered with autonomous driving startup to introduce a fleet of self-driving taxis by 2026, with pilots commencing earlier this year (2025). These state-of-the-art, all-weather autonomous vehicles—now in their seventh generation—are a key component of the city's Smart Mobility Plan, which aims to automate 25% of all transport journeys by 2030.
Complementing this push is a parallel goal to decarbonise. Currently, 50% of Dubai's taxi fleet consists of hybrid vehicles, and the RTA plans to transition entirely to hybrid or electric vehicles by 2027. Supporting this is a growing EV infrastructure, with over 300 charging stations now existing across the city. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is targeting 1,000 by 2025.
For Indian EV and battery-tech startups, this offers not just partnership potential but also valuable market and policy insights, especially given Dubai's regulatory openness and focus on smart public-private models.
As Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency at RTA, reported, 'The RTA remains committed to establishing Dubai as a global benchmark for smart and sustainable transport systems. This also aligns with efforts to elevate Dubai's standing in government service excellence and advance its ambition to become the world's most digitally advanced city.'
Urban air mobility in Dubai and the sky's the limit!
Beyond road transport, Dubai has also been at the forefront of urban air mobility. Back in 2017, Volocopter conducted its first public demonstration in the city—an autonomous electric air taxi flying 500 meters at an altitude of 60 meters—making it one of the world's earliest real-world UAM trials. Today, the Emirate is moving steadily toward launching commercial air mobility services by 2026.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), in coordination with the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE, is currently establishing air corridors, traffic control standards, and vertiport infrastructure at key nodes, including Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai International Airport.
Companies such as Joby Aviation and Volocopter are helping shape this aerial layer of urban mobility. As Dubai develops vertiports and air corridors for commercial launch by 2026, it raises important lessons for India's evolving UAM landscape.
Private sector as the powerhouse– collaboration driving transformation
While most of these innovations are primarily government-led, the private sector is equally instrumental in shaping what comes next. Take logistics-tech platform TruKKer, for example, which has partnered with the RTA to launch Logisty, an AI-driven freight mobility marketplace aimed at improving fleet utilisation and bringing transparency to freight costs. Whether in the air or on the road, Dubai's approach is marked by collaboration, technology, and a clear intent to redefine how a city moves.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, highlighted,"The launch of the 'Logisty' platform supports the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) aimed to enhance Dubai's position as one of the top three economic cities in the world. This also aligns with the Dubai Commercial Road Transport & Logistics Strategy 2030, along with the associated roadmap and projects aimed to double the direct contribution of the commercial road transport logistics sector to the emirate's economy to AED 16.8 billion, increase technology adoption in the sector's infrastructure by 75%, and improve operational efficiency by 10%.'
'There is backing at the highest level. We also believe that the current evolution will continue to increase in the coming years as investors and governments play a more active role in creating value globally. Businesses like TruKKer are on a journey from MENA to the world.' Gaurav Biswas, Founder and CEO, TruKKer, reportedly mentioned.
Meanwhile, Talabat's partnership with e-bike firm Motoboy signals a strategic shift towards sustainable last-mile logistics, aligned with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 goals.
'Talabat's success story has been driven by innovation, entrepreneurship, and a deep understanding of our region,' said Tomaso Rodriguez, CEO of Talabat, after the company's record-breaking IPO on the Dubai Financial Market in 2025. 'These factors have enabled us to serve and deliver to a remarkable region that we are proud to call home.'
These efforts demonstrate a symbiotic model where startups don't just benefit from regulation—they help shape it, offering a dynamic blueprint for Indian entrepreneurs.
Dubai's vision– A gateway for Indian investment and entrepreneurship
This tech-forward city is positioning itself as a global springboard for innovation-led businesses, especially from rapidly growing markets like India. With an urban ecosystem powered by AI, IoT, clean energy, and digital-first governance, the city offers fertile ground for Indian startups looking to test, scale, and globalise their solutions.
For Indian entrepreneurs, especially those working in EVs, logistics-tech, or urban infrastructure, Dubai presents a unique advantage. Its business-friendly environment includes free zones with 100% foreign ownership, zero income tax, and streamlined regulatory processes.
What's more? Dubai's strategic location- connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa- makes it an ideal hub for international expansion. Initiatives like the Dubai Future Accelerators and the presence of a robust VC network help accelerate growth, while long-term Golden Visa options provide stability for founders and skilled professionals.
For Indian startups eyeing global markets, Dubai isn't a far-off frontier—it's a real-time sandbox for innovation, scale, and visibility.
