Dubai to buy 200 Tesla vehicles as part of its ambitious self-driving taxi plan

The deal is part of Dubai's efforts to make 25% of the car trips autonomous by 2030

Dubai signed an agreement with Tesla Inc on Tuesday to buy 200 Tesla hybrid electric vehicles to become a leader in the self-driving car space.

The deal was signed by Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Road and Transport Authority (RTA) Mattar al Tayer and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on the sidelines of the World Government Summit 2017.

.@RTA_Dubai inks agreement with @TeslaMotors for buying 200 electric vehicles fitted with components of autonomous driving technologies pic.twitter.com/gd4WmT9VAX

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 14, 2017

The new vehicles will be added to the limousine fleet of the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC). The deal is part of Dubai government’s efforts to make 25% of the car trips autonomous by 2030.



“It [the deal] is part of the Dubai Smart Autonomous Mobility Strategy aimed at transforming 25% of total journeys in Dubai into autonomous journeys by 2030. The agreement also reflects RTA’s efforts towards providing driverless transportation solutions through undertaking technological tests of autonomous transit means,” the RTA chief said.



The agreement came as Tesla began selling its electric cars in Dubai, marking its first foray into the Middle East.

.@TeslaMotors in #Dubai for the first time in the Middle East pic.twitter.com/JJjD1V0qSq

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 13, 2017

According to Tesla, the RTA will purchase Model S sedans and Model X SUVs for the programme. The company further claimed that the the Model S and Model X vehicles purchased by RTA are equipped with the hardware needed for full self-driving capability at a safety level greater than that of a human driver.