In January, one month ahead of time, we got the scoop on Tesla entering the UAE this month. We also heard that the vice ruler of Dubai has a Tesla Supercharger at his home to charge up his Model S. However, with the official announcement about Tesla’s entry into the UAE, we get even more eye-popping news.
Following the company’s official entrance into the Dubai market, the Dubai Road & Transport Authority announced that it would be purchasing 200 of Tesla’s Model S sedans and Model X SUVs for use by the Dubai Taxi Corporation — the official taxi service operator in the emirate.
The new purchase agreement was signed “on the sidelines of a summit in Dubai,” with Tesla’s Elon Musk and the Road & Transport Authority’s Chairman Mattar Al Tayer being the main (public anyways) forces behind the move.
Reuters provides more:
“California-based Tesla is accepting online orders from customers in the United Arab Emirates, a pop-up store in the Dubai Mall and a Tesla service center being built on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, which is due to open in July.”
“Founder Elon Musk said on Monday that Tesla will open a store and service center in Abu Dhabi in 2018 and plans to expand to Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.”
“Musk declined to elaborate on his wider plans or timeline for expansion outside the UAE at a press conference in Dubai.”
Pricing in the region starts at 275,000 dirhams (~$75,000) for the Model S, and 344,000 dirhams for the Model X. So, not very different from the company’s pricing anywhere else. Presumably, the only differences from the US are due to shipping and import taxes/fees.
Deliveries to the region are expected to begin by July.
Related:
Interviewing the CEO of Masdar, the UAE’s $15 Billion Clean Energy Company (CleanTechnica Exclusive)
Tesla Opening In UAE Next Month (CleanTechnica Exclusive)
UAE Commits $50 Million To Fund Caribbean Renewable Energy
Saudi Arabia: Fossil Fuels Are Cleaner … Wait, What? (Exclusive Video)
Construction On World’s Largest Solar Project To Begin Soon
Hyperloop One + Dubai Roads & Transport Authority Sign
The Totally Insane Carbon Bubble
Lowest-Ever Solar Price Bid (2.42¢/kWh) Dropped In Abu Dhabi
Masdar Consortium Granted Dubai’s 800 MW, 3¢/kWh Solar Power Contract
Photos via Zach Shahan
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