Tesla is known for its relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence, which is why they have set up a testing facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to subject their vehicles to the most extreme hot weather conditions. Dubai is a perfect location for this, as the climate is consistently hot and humid, often reaching temperatures of up to 51 degrees Celsius. This challenging environment allows Tesla to test the limits of their vehicles and ensure they can perform reliably in any climate.
Mileage Accumulation and Product Launch Testing
Tesla’s main focus in the UAE is on mileage accumulation, hot weather-related tests, and product launch testing. The team drives between 250 and 400 kilometers per day, stressing the cars to guarantee that they can withstand long distances and extreme temperatures. These tests are complemented by similar testing conducted in Norway during winter, ensuring that Tesla vehicles can handle extreme cold as well.
Collaboration with Field Quality Engineering Team
The team in Dubai is working in collaboration with the Field Quality Engineering team from Berlin, testing the Model Y and the US Model X Plaid in the UAE. The ultimate goal is to ensure that these vehicles will perform safely and reliably in any condition, from extreme cold to extreme heat and everything in between.
Unique Challenges of the UAE Climate
The UAE is an ideal testing ground for hot weather conditions due to its extreme heat, consistent climate, and unique challenges such as sandstorms, dust storms, and high humidity. These factors push the vehicles’ cooling systems to the limit, as they need to maintain optimal temperatures for the battery, drive units, and passengers.
Mountain Road Testing
The team also conducts tests on mountain roads in the UAE, which provide steep inclines and twisty turns that put strain on the powertrain, cooling, and air conditioning systems. These tests help evaluate the performance of chassis components and the thermal system under high-energy and high-heat conditions.
Testing the Worst-Case Scenario
Tesla chooses to test black cars in the UAE because black absorbs more heat, making it the most challenging color for their vehicles to handle. This approach ensures that they are testing the worst-case scenario and identifying any potential issues that could impact customers from bumper to bumper.
Tesla’s commitment to testing their vehicles in the harshest conditions exemplifies their dedication to providing exceptional performance and reliability. The extreme climate testing conducted in the UAE ensures that Tesla vehicles can handle the most challenging environments, providing customers with a dependable and safe driving experience, no matter where they are in the world.
