Tesla opens 17 ‘Self-Serve’ test centres so customers can try out their driverless EVs – is one popping up near you?
TESLA are offering customers a chance to test out their driverless EVs – without any human interaction involved.
The EV firm’s new ‘Self-Serve’ centres, which were first introduced last year and have recently been expanded to 17 locations across the UK, allow drivers to “test drive a Tesla without Tesla”.
The US-based car company says customers can book their test drive slot in less than 60 seconds – using either Tesla’s website or the Tesla mobile app – and it offers an “immersive experience”.
Here, drivers will be handed a 30-minute time slot, and they can pick between the hugely popular Model 3 and Model Y EVs.
The entire experience is meant to be completely remote – without any need to speak to one of Tesla’s staff members – which the company says will “eliminate the typical monotony associated with test driving a new car”.
However, after scheduling a Self-Serve Test Drive slot, customers will receive an email covering the basics, and they’ll be contacted by a Tesla advisor to answer any questions they may have, as well as confirm their slot.
On the day of the test drive, everything is done using the Tesla app; with the driver carefully guided through the process.
To begin the test, the vehicle will be unlocked and once the driver is inside, a test drive walkthrough will appear on the touchscreen – allowing for the vehicle’s settings to be adjusted accordingly.
After the test is finished, the car will be returned to its original bay, and the car can be locked again using the app.
Tesla says that, if assistance is needed at any point during the test drive, an advisor can be contacted through the app.
Currently in the UK, there are 17 Self-Serve Test Drive locations available, with the first opening in Perth, Scotland last year.
Other locations include London, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow, with 160-plus locations scattered across Europe and the Middle East.
According to the Tesla website, the only test-driving requirement is a valid driver’s licence, with only one driver authorised to drive, although passengers are permitted.
Last month, Tesla boss Elon Musk unveiled his company’s upcoming driverless robot bus EV – with fans spotting an eerie similarity to an iconic kids’ show.
Tesla’s new Robovan can carry up to 20 people at a time and transport goods.
The prototype self-driving EV will roughly be the size of a bus – but little else is known about it.
Musk revealed the Robovan at Tesla’s We, Robot event in Los Angeles, and as it rolled onstage, he said: “We’re going to make this, and it’s going to look like that.
“One of the things we want to do – and we’ve done this with the Cybertruck – is to change the look of the roads.”