With an objective to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world, the country’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a taxi fleet of 50 Teslas, featuring new Model S and Model X cars.

As directed by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai the vehicles will be part of the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC). The adoption of Tesla vehicles is said to be in line with the Dubai Smart Autonomous Mobility Strategy.

To convert 25% of total journeys into driverless journeys by 2030 is the aim here, and this includes the plans of having flying taxis as well. This would also support the Green Economy for Sustainable Development Initiative of Shaikh Mohammad.

“50 Teslas have already been shipped to the RTA as part of a deal at the World Government Summit 2017. Mattar Al Tayer, The director general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA said that 75 vehicles will be supplied in 2018 and 75 others to be delivered the next year,”

They have also made sure that the required infrastructure to ensure operations of the vehicles and the 13 electric charging stations are provided by the concerned parties