You can now catch a Tesla taxi in Dubai
Both the Model S and Model X vehicles will be available to commuters…
Back in February we reported that the RTA had committed to buying 200 cars from electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla to add to its limo fleet.
We’re not going to lie, we were pretty excited about the prospect of cruising down Sheikh Zayed Road in the back of one of Tesla founder (and real-life Iron Man) Elon Musk’s super-sleek, all-electric vehicles.
Well, it looks like that dream is finally going to come true as it was announced earlier today that the first 50 of those 200 vehicles have been officially deployed into the Dubai Taxi fleet.
The official launch was held outside the entrance to Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport and in the presence of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports,Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and other officials from the government, Dubai Airports and Tesla.
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
It was confirmed in a statement from the Dubai Media Office that both the Model S (a sedan noted for being the safest electric vehicle to date) and Model X (an SUV best known for its iconic gull-wing doors) are the two types of vehicles commuters can expect to ride in.
After this initial batch of 50 vehicles, a further 75 cars will be supplied in 2018 with the final 75 set to be delivered in 2019.
All the vehicles are equipped with the hardware needed for full self-driving capability at a safety level greater than that of a human driver.
No specifics were given on how and when you’ll be able to catch one of these futuristic cabs (or how much it’ll cost) but we’ll be sure to update you once we get more details.
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Images: Dubai Media Office