Introduction:
The EV industry is advancing towards sustainability, driven by increasing environmental awareness and climate action. A significant sector undergoing transformation is logistics, especially with the integration of electric vehicles (EVs). The push for sustainable logistics solutions is fueled by the need to reduce carbon footprints and enhance operational efficiency. This shift is evident in the growing emphasis on innovative technologies and practices that address the inherent challenges of traditional logistics operations, such as energy consumption and emissions. At the forefront of these advancements is Mohammad Jaber, whose leadership is instrumental in driving this transformation.

Key Leadership in the EV Logistics Revolution:
Mohammad Jaber plays a critical role in overseeing both strategic and operational aspects within a leading logistics firm. As the Chief Operating Officer of DSV Solutions and Managing Director of the Air & Sea Division at DSV in Abu Dhabi, Mohammad drives the company’s growth and operational excellence. His dual roles highlight his extensive responsibilities in ensuring that the logistics network operates seamlessly and meets international standards while also spearheading advancements in air and sea logistics.

DSV Solutions’ EV Truck Initiatives in the UAE:
DSV Solutions (Abu Dhabi) has made significant strides in the field of electric trucking within the UAE. The company has pioneered the large-scale implementation of EV trucks capable of double-trailing and rapid battery swapping. This forward-thinking approach not only addresses the challenges associated with traditional charging times but also enhances the overall productivity and sustainability of logistics operations.

The global focus on climate change, particularly highlighted by COP 28 held in the UAE, has raised interest in sustainability initiatives. In response, DSV Solutions (Abu Dhabi) has taken the innovative step of enabling EV trucks for double-trailing. For the first time in the UAE, 80 GCW EV trucks have been deployed, offering long-range capabilities and featuring robotic battery swapping, effectively overcoming the challenge of slow charging times.

The significant investment in these assets requires them to operate at very high productivity to ensure a positive return on investment. Addressing charging time and speed issues has made this goal more attainable, along with improved operating system capabilities that boost productivity. Despite the absence of a carbon tax system or EV truck subsidies in the UAE, DSV remains fully committed to sustainability and has moved forward with large-scale implementation.

Overseeing Operations and Expanding Global Logistics:
Mohammad holds dual positions at DSV Solutions in Abu Dhabi—Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of the Air & Sea Division. As Chief Operating Officer, he is responsible for both strategic leadership and operational execution, overseeing day-to-day operations within the logistics and supply chain network. This includes managing warehouses, distribution processes, and optimizing the flow of goods for clients.

As Managing Director of the Air & Sea Division, Mohammad ensures that DSV’s freight forwarding operations are competitive and compliant with international standards. He focuses on enhancing air and sea logistics services to provide fast, reliable, and cost-effective solutions for the company’s global clientele.

Mohammad plays a crucial role in driving strategic growth for DSV Solutions by identifying new business opportunities, optimizing existing operations, and leading initiatives that help DSV scale in the highly competitive logistics industry. He also collaborates extensively with global partners to expand the company’s network and capabilities, while building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and strategic partners.

Driving Innovation Through Strategic Partnerships and R&D:
Mohammad believes that “Collaboration and partnerships are crucial for driving innovation and growth within the industry.” DSV Solutions prioritizes finding partners who share its vision and goals, ensuring alignment across both the equipment and software sides of its business. By fostering strong, mutually beneficial relationships, the company creates integrated solutions where hardware and software work hand in hand, enhancing the ability to deliver innovative, efficient services to its clients.

His approach is deeply supported by a commitment to research and development (R&D), ensuring that DSV Solutions stays at the forefront of innovation. Mohammad emphasizes that “As leaders in the logistics industry, it’s essential not only to guide the market but also to live up to the values that define DSV.” These values are the foundation of his leadership and his ability to inspire progress across the organization.

Enhancing Profitability and Efficiency of Electric Trucking:
Operating electric trucks in the UAE has traditionally been challenging, particularly in achieving a positive Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). High asset costs, the absence of carbon taxes, lack of subsidies, affordable fuel prices, long charging times (up to eight hours), and the high cost of fast chargers and their required infrastructure have all contributed to the difficulty of running a profitable EV trucking operation in the region. Additionally, the shortage of public high-speed, high-power charging stations for trucks compounds the issue.

However, DSV Solutions (Abu Dhabi) has led innovation in collaboration with manufacturers, particularly SANY, to tailor solutions specific to the UAE market and its unique conditions. The breakthrough lies in DSV’s ability to integrate an 80 GCW electric truck that supports double trailers or even tipper trucks, coupled with a long-range battery capable of 250 kilometers.

Central to this innovation is a battery-swapping system that can replace a depleted battery in just six minutes. This drastically reduces infrastructure costs compared to traditional fast-charging setups, which require significant power input and often remain underutilized. In contrast, DSV’s EV truck system ensures that chargers are used efficiently, operating at 100% capacity, as the batteries are charged separately from the truck’s head within an hour. The ability to release such expensive assets in 6 minutes for operations significantly impacted productivity. With such a battery-swapping system spread across Abu Dhabi, 10 stations could provide 620 battery swaps a day, equating to 150,000 km per day or 55M KM per year with zero emissions. These stations could support around 500 trucks per day, depending on the round-trip distance, making truck stoppage time at charging stations less than what is needed for diesel fueling.

The combination of double trailers and rapid battery swapping nearly doubles productivity, making it possible to reach breakeven. Looking ahead, if carbon taxes are implemented or if DSV Solutions (Abu Dhabi) gains the ability to trade carbon credits, the business model will become more profitable. This would also help the market to change its mindset, working hand in hand with all customers and players in the logistics sector towards greater efforts to protect the environment and enhance the economy. Such scale will likely attract factories to build and maintain these trucks locally, creating jobs and improving exports.

Sustainable Logistics and the Future of AI-Driven EV Integration:
Mohammad firmly believes that DSV Solutions (Abu Dhabi) must proactively lead change within the logistics industry. He emphasizes the importance of embracing failure as an opportunity to learn, driving continuous improvement through research and development. For him, sustainability is not just a concept but a critical mindset that must be fully understood and lived.

Regarding innovation, Mohammad views the integration of EVs in logistics as essential—not only for environmental sustainability but also for advancing artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The ability of EV trucks to connect with other systems enhances productivity and opens the door to future advancements, such as autonomous trucks. With the world moving at an unprecedented pace, Mohammad stresses that survival in the industry depends on rapid adaptation and staying ahead of the curve.

Talent Acquisition and Optimization Amidst Evolving Challenges:
One of the biggest challenges Mohammad faces is talent acquisition while balancing productivity, optimization, and employee well-being. The changing market conditions, influenced by factors like climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and post-pandemic consequences, add layers of difficulty. To address these challenges, DSV Solutions (Abu Dhabi) prioritizes innovation and leverages modern technologies to boost productivity and optimize resources.

This includes adopting EV trucks, drone operations, and implementing AI and RPA (Robotic Process Automation) in its processes. These advancements ensure that Mohammad and his team can thrive through intensive training and development programs. DSV’s focus remains on striking a balance between employee well-being and operational efficiency to deliver exceptional results for its customers and maintain strong financial performance.

Strategy for Staying Ahead in the EV Industry:
To stay updated with the latest developments in the EV industry and continue growing in his career, Mohammad prioritizes performance-driven research and actively participates in workshops and industry exhibitions. This approach keeps him informed about emerging trends and technologies and fuels DSV’s ongoing projects.

Mohammad shares, “We’re constantly working on the next level of innovation, with a clear set of requirements that align with our past achievements and guide our future milestones.” This continuous learning and forward-thinking strategy ensure that DSV Solutions remains at the forefront of the constantly developing EV industry.

Transformative Technologies Shaping the EV Market:
Mohammad is excited about several emerging technologies in the EV market that have the potential to transform the industry. These include advancements in battery capacity, allowing for longer ranges and the ability to power specialized vehicles like refrigerated and tipper trucks. Autonomous trucks are another key development, where connectivity with AI engines will optimize driver journeys, enhance safety, and improve road conditions.

Additionally, improvements in power regeneration technology are set to increase the efficiency of EVs. In the long term, hydrogen-powered trucks offer a promising alternative, combining the benefits of electric vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells, positioning DSV Solutions (Abu Dhabi) on the right path toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Strategy for Leading in the Growing EV Market:
For aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs looking to make an impact in the EV market, Mohammad’s key advice is to start as early as possible, even on a small scale. EV trucks represent a sustainable solution with long-term cost benefits and demonstrate an organization’s commitment to sustainability.

By acting now, businesses can position themselves ahead of the curve, preparing for the future when carbon tax systems and carbon trading become more widely adopted. “Early adoption not only helps achieve sustainability goals but also ensures a smooth and quick transition when market regulations evolve,” he said.