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The next time you hail a taxi in Dubai, you could be hopping into a Tesla Model 3, after Arabia Taxi added 269 of the cars to its fleet.
Arabia Taxi has signed an agreement with Tesla Motors, Dubai, to add the electric vehicles (EV) to the fleet, in line with plans to convert all the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) vehicles to hybrid, electric or hydrogen powered models by 2027.
Arabia Taxi, which is owned by The Economic Group, has a fleet of 6,000 vehicles in total. The company is one of several taxis operating under the RTA’s jurisdiction in Dubai.
Sheikh Majid bin Hamad Al Qasimi, chairman The Economic Group, said 83% of Arabia Taxi’s cars are hybrids.
“The company is working on a strategic plan to convert the remaining vehicles into fully electric cars and is considering the possibility of using hydrogen-powered vehicles in the future.
“It is looking forward to expanding its cooperation with Tesla and several electric car manufacturers, to offer its clients diversified sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation options.
The company hopes to play a leading role in promoting the transformation of public and private transport industry towards a sustainable one and reducing the environmental impact of commercial activity in the UAE and the whole region,” he said.
(Reporting by Imogen Lillywhite; editing by Daniel Luiz)
