Tesla Model 3 cars to join Arabia Taxi fleet in Dubai

Arabia Taxi LLC – Dubai, a subsidiary of the Economic Group Holdings, has signed an exclusive agreement with Tesla Motors – Dubai, to add 269 Tesla cars, Model 3, to its Dubai taxi fleet in April.

The Economic Group owns the largest fleet of private taxi vehicles in the UAE. Its fleet includes about 6,000 taxi vehicles. The new vehicles represent a key step towards converting the company’s fleet to a fully electric and carbon-free one.

The decision is also in line with the strategy of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai to convert taxi vehicles in the emirate (Dubai Taxi and franchise companies) into 100 per cent environmentally friendly (hybrid, electric and hydrogen) vehicles by 2027.

Read: Taxis in Dubai to become 100% eco-friendly by 2027

Sheikh Majid bin Hamad Al Qasimi, chairman of the Board of Directors of The Economic Group, said that 83 per cent of the cars in its Dubai fleet are currently operating with environmentally friendly hybrid engine technology.

Arabia Taxi aims to consider hydrogen-powered vehicles in the future

“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 a number of 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 the public and private transport industry towards a sustainable one, and reducing the environmental impact of commercial activity in the UAE and the whole region.” Al Qasimi added.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, the CEO of the Public Transport Agency at the RTA, said: “This step confirms the efforts of Arabia Taxi… to rationalise the use of energy in the UAE, and to create a safe, clean and sustainable environment that lives up to the level of reputation and prestige of the emirate of Dubai, as well as promoting the Dubai government’s initiative to introduce green vehicles for a cleaner environment.”

Going green

Bahrozyan stressed the importance of joint cooperation between the authority and the franchise companies towards improving the electric transport infrastructure in the Emirate of Dubai, noting that this fruitful cooperation will contribute to reaching the desired goals and converting 100 per cent of the taxi vehicles into environmentally friendly cars by 2027.

The strategic transformation of Arabia Taxi – Dubai corresponds with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority’s plan to reduce its carbon footprint and improve air quality in the emirate over the next five years.

In other news, in March, the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) commenced trials of the Skywell electric vehicle as part of its limo service. The move stemmed from its commitment to realise the roadmap charted by the RTA for migrating to emission-free public transport means in the emirate by 2050.

As part of a feasibility study to assess electric vehicles (EVs), DTC is undertaking a trial period for multiple models of EVs produced by various companies to ensure optimal results. The trial period of the Skywell EV, which lasts for three months, includes testing the vehicle on Dubai roads to identify its features and ability to operate within the DTC fleet.

The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) has commenced trials of the Skywell electric vehicle as part of its limo service.
https://t.co/6pqh6VIL3f@DTCUAE pic.twitter.com/yHqqePeu4d

— RTA (@rta_dubai) March 27, 2023

As much as 72 per cent of the taxi fleet across the emirate has been transformed into eco-friendly vehicles, comprising 8,221 hybrid vehicles. The Dubai Taxi Corporation hosts the largest fleet of eco-friendly vehicles, with hybrid cars accounting for over 34 per cent of the taxi fleet. It is followed by Cars Taxi, National Taxi, Arabia Taxi, and Metro Taxi.