H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates Group, and Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, has launched the operation of 50 Tesla electric vehicles to the limo fleet of the Dubai Taxi Corporation.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, attended the launch of these vehicles which are fitted with several components of self-driving techniques.

The operation of Tesla electric vehicles is a manifestation of the directives of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world.

It also replicates the Green Economy for Sustainable Development Initiative of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and the Dubai Smart Autonomous Mobility Strategy aimed at converting 25 percent of total journeys into driverless journeys by 2030. This initiative is also part of the RTA’s expeditious efforts to provide self-driving transit means by going through technological tests designed for autonomous transit means.

"The RTA has recently received the delivery of 50 Tesla vehicles as part of a deal for 200 vehicles signed last February on the sidelines of the World Government Summit 2017. As such, 75 vehicles will be supplied in 2018, and 75 others are to be delivered in 2019," said Al Tayer.

He explained that the Dubai Taxi Corporation has coordinated with the concerned parties to provide the needed infrastructure to ensure the operation of these vehicles, including the provision of 13 electric recharging stations.