Club Car introduces the "Run-A-Bout", a new electric vehicle for gated communities

The Run-A-Bout is the first neighbourhood electric vehicle that can be legally registered for road use within the fast growing number of gated communities and private residential complexes in the region.

Colin Baxter, Managing Director of Hydroturf International, the Middle East representative of Club Car told us that Hydroturf have recently signed a contract with EMAAR, leading UAE property developers, which will permit Hydroturf to display and demo the Run-A-Bouts on site at two of their premium lifestyle developments in Dubai; namely Emirates Hills and Arabian Ranches.

"Club Car believes there is a great potential for a vehicle which is environmentally friendly and fun, a 'Run-A-Bout' vehicle for the whole family located in residential areas in and around the city." Mr Baxter continued, "By having the Run-A-Bout on people's 'door steps' it will be very easy for potential homeowners to see and experience first hand the benefits these neighbourhood vehicles have to offer."

Colin went on to add, "We plan to have regular demo days which will give people the opportunity to test drive the Run-A-Bout's. Very shortly there will not be a need to take so many trips into town, as property developers are bringing all of life's essentials needs into the communities where we live - schools, shops, clinics restaurants, leisure facilities and much more," he concluded.

The Run-A-Bout is fitted with all the standard car safety requirements including seat belts, roll-over protection bar, headlights, reflectors, windscreen wipers, mirrors, roof mounted break lights, horn and a space for licence plates. The vehicle can reach up to 40 kms per hour - the maximum speed limit in gated communities. It has a rear fitted shopping trunk to place your shopping bags in.

The fact that Dubai Police have licensed this vehicle makes the Run-a-bout the only vehicle in its category in the UAE to legally comply with this new regulation. Nick Tarratt, Golf Advisor, Emaar said, "I am impressed with the 'Run-A-Bout'. Now that Hydroturf has received Dubai Police approval to use the vehicles on Estate Communities I am sure that they will prove very popular with residents. Now these communities are taking shape they are ideal for short trips around the Estates of Dubai. Club Car is a reliable and trusted brand and with their safety roll bars and seat belts I am confident they will do very well in this marketplace."

Chris Diamand, Director of Leisure at Emaar also stated, "We are impressed with the quality and the introduction of the Run-A-Bouts to the UAE. We are sure it will add to the lifestyle of the residents of the Emaar communities in Dubai."

The Run-A-Bout's are powered by six batteries which will run for 50 kms on full charge. They can be very easily recharged overnight using a standard 13 amp household power point, so nothing could be simpler or more convenient. On average a set of batteries will normally last two years.

Hydroturf will provide on site servicing or at either of their two locations, in the Hydroturf showroom located on the Sheikh Zayed Road and at Khalifa General Trading, Hydroturf's dealer in Abu Dhabi.

Colin concluded, "We are delighted that EMAAR has been so forward thinking, they have recognised the need for a vehicle of this type and the contribution it can make to our lifestyles; less noise, less pollution and so simple to use, which all amounts at the end of the day to less stress.

'The Club Car Run-A-Bout has come at a time where demand is on the increase in the region for a vehicle of this type. Large gated communities and private residential complexes are increasing in the region and with the introduction of the Run-A-Bout, transportation around these complexes will become safer, easier, environmentally friendly and definitely more cost effective. The Run-A-Bout has become a perfect and viable solution for this. The future is most definitely electric."