When Elon Musk himself came to the UAE to open Tesla‘s first flagship store on Sheikh Zayed Road, the UAE’s Road Transport Authority (RTA) announced it was buying 200 of the electric motors from the manufacturer to add to its fleet of taxis.
It was announced yesterday that the deal actually went through, and the RTA has cleared 50 of the 200 vehicles to be used as taxis in Dubai. The official launch of the new Tesla taxis was held outside the entrance of Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3.
According to the Dubai Media Office, both Model S and the Model X models are now on the roads and able to pick up would-be commuters.
Ahmed bin Saeed marks official deployment of 50 Tesla electric vehicles to #Dubai Taxi Corporation fleet pic.twitter.com/ArpdMhLrAH
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 17, 2017
#Video: Deployment of 50 Tesla electric vehicles with self-driving technology to join the #DubaiTaxi limousine fleet#SmartCity@TeslaMotors pic.twitter.com/1nR3TbJzBD
— RTA (@RTA_Dubai) September 17, 2017
The Model X is an SUV, known for its gull-wing doors, can comfortably seat four individuals. The Model S, a sedan that’s often credited with being the safest electric car in the world) will fit three passengers and a driver.
While both vehicles come kitted-out with all the technology required for self-driving capability, don’t expect to fully experience autonomous driving down Sheikh Zayed Road anytime soon. The RTA say the emirate is working on a new law with regards to self-driving cars.
We’ve not yet spotted any of Dubai’s Tesla taxis on roads as yet, so there’s no word on how much it’ll cost to get you from Business Bay to the Marina, but stay tuned for more updates as and when they come.
