VivoPower’s Tembo unit announces collaboration with EDGE Group’s AL TAIF, a ground military MRO company based in the United Arab Emirates

LONDON, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tembo E-LV BV (“Tembo”), a subsidiary of VivoPower International PLC (“VivoPower”), is pleased to announce that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”, the “Agreement”) with AL TAIF Technical Services, LLC (“AL TAIF”), the UAE’s leading provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for military equipment. Pursuant to the Agreement, the collaboration will undertake feasibility studies with a goal of formalising a partnership spanning distribution of Tembo EV conversion kits, research & development, training in electric mobility and high voltage, as well as local assembly operations in the UAE.

AL TAIF is a subsidiary of the EDGE Group, one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold, and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond. Its customers include defence and police organisations in the UAE, the MENA region and extending to other regions.

The Tembo EUV (“electric utility vehicle") kits transform new and second-hand utility vehicles, including the 4×4 LandCruiser and Hilux vehicles into ruggedised EUVs for use in off-road and specialised on road applications, including defence, mining, agriculture, construction, safari, and conservation, as well as humanitarian aid purposes. Tembo EUV conversion kits are a key component of VivoPower’s turnkey sustainable energy solutions, encompassing training and safety solutions, critical power solutions, battery storage and battery second life applications designed to help fleet owning customers accelerate towards their net zero carbon goals and to achieve cost savings.

The Agreement follows successful drive days in desert conditions, outside of Dubai (March 2023) and Abu Dhabi (May 2023) with Tembo EUV repowered vehicles.

Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “On behalf of the entire VivoPower and Tembo teams, I am very honoured to have entered into this Memorandum of Understanding with AL TAIF, the UAE’s official military and defence maintenance company. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Saif Al Dahbashi, AL TAIF’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and his team for selecting VivoPower and Tembo as their preferred partners for feasibility studies in relation to electric vehicle conversions and ancillary training services for the UAE military and their regional customers. At Tembo, we are very aware of the exacting standards required for defence industry use cases, which span not just safety but also security and confidentiality. As a B Corporation that has been recognised as amongst the Best in the World for Governance, VivoPower and its subsidiaries adopt an uncompromising approach towards security and confidentiality. We are all committed to working closely with the AL TAIF team to deliver both economic and sustainability outcomes for AL TAIF, the EDGE Group, and the UAE more broadly.”