TUI is revolutionizing travel: electric cars from China for green mobility!

TUI is revolutionizing travel: electric cars from China for green mobility!

The TUI Group is breaking new ground in sustainable mobility with a groundbreaking cooperation with Smart, the subsidiary of Mercedes. The aim of this collaboration is to promote environmentally and climate-friendly mobility in the travel business. TUI boss Sebastian Ebel and Smart CEO Wolfgang Ufer have announced the use of the new Hashtag model series in holiday areas and in the company car fleet.

The partnership also includes the marketing of electric cars by Smart with the support of TUI. Collaborations with car rental companies are planned to increase the availability of vehicles in travel destinations. As part of this initiative, TUI will offer special models in the characteristic TUI colors with the red Smile brand logo.

Sustainability in focus

A central goal of the TUI Group is to make transfers in travel destinations 80-90% sustainable by 2030. The aim is to increase the proportion of electric cars in transfers and in the company car fleet to at least 90%. To achieve this goal, TUI plans to set up at least 1,000 charging stations in target areas, which will be created in cooperation with the Spirii network.

The Smart model range includes three electric models: the Hashtag 1, which was launched in 2023, the Hashtag 3, which will be launched in 2024, and the Hashtag 5, which is already available. Despite the promising charging times of just 15 minutes, the models have so far only achieved low sales figures in Germany, which is due, among other things, to reduced subsidies and general skepticism towards e-mobility.

TUI Sustainability Impact Awards 2025

In parallel with the innovations in mobility, TUI recently announced the winners of the TUI Sustainability Impact Awards 2025. This award recognizes outstanding sustainability initiatives from TUI suppliers in various areas, including technology, indirect purchasing, cruises and airline management. This year the awards went to DHL, Propack and Cleaner Seas Group, with nearly 100 entries judged by an internal jury chaired by TUI CEO Sebastian Ebel.

The award categories are “People”, “Planet” and “Progress”, which are based on the TUI sustainability agenda. DHL was recognized for its initiative to donate toiletries, Propack for reducing pressure through customized brochures, and Cleaner Seas Group won the award for a filtration system that captures microfibers from laundry water.

Special mentions went to PPDS for its focus on energy conservation and NuServe for supporting the circular economy. Ebel emphasizes that these awards represent a signpost for further progress in tourism and a community of pioneers among TUI suppliers.

With the new electric vehicles and the innovation awards, TUI underlines its commitment to a sustainable future in the travel and mobility sector. The hoped-for expansion in the travel business in China with local partners and further hotel openings is a further step in a climate-friendly direction.

For more information on these topics, visit the articles from Gloobi and TUI Group.