Tesla has introduced a new test drive scheme on the Isle of Wight that enables personal or business users to access vehicles remotely using the car maker’s app. Hosted at Building 41 in Cowes, anyone with a valid driving license over the age of 21 can test drive a Tesla simply by using their smartphone. The idea is that Islanders can experience Tesla and the power of electric, without the daunting experience of a sales showroom. Completely unstaffed with no humans on-site, customers can book their appointment and upload their driving license, download the Tesla app to check in for their allocated time and remotely unlock the vehicle before driving away and experiencing the thrill of an award-winning electric vehicle. Tesla has worked with Vehicle Consulting Solent in order to facilitate this test drive site, and provide integration with local businesses on the Island. The fleet will be given a weekly spruce-up by Rookley-based JW Autoshine. 
This new initiative has several collaborative goals including introducing an electric vehicle without an in-person showroom experience, contributing to the Isle of Wight Innovation Hub mission and teaming up with fellow businesses to introduce and support electric vehicle schemes. Island Echo popped down to Cowes earlier today (Tuesday) to test the Model Y – the world’s best selling car in 2023. Within just a few clicks the car was unlocked and away we went – using just 1% of battery during our test drive around Cowes and Gurnard. To test drive one of Tesla’s vehicles yourself, book an appointment online at https://www.tesla.com/en_gb/drive. Then, simply download the Tesla app, log in and drive to Building 41 before tapping ‘I’ve Arrived’. Self-serve test drives are available in hour-long slots between 10:00-16:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00-15:00 on Sundays. 
TESLA BRINGS REMOTE TEST DRIVE SCHEME TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT
- Trending
- Comments
- Latest
TOP STORIES THIS WEEK
-
BLACK SMOKE FILLS SKY AS LARGE FIRE BREAKS OUT AT COWES’ PIER VIEW PUB
-
CROSSROADS COLLISION INVOLVING 3 CARS CAUSING TRAFFIC TAILBACKS IN RYDE
-
PAIR IN THEIR 80s DENY CARELESS DRIVING CHARGES FOLLOWING RYDE CRASH
-
MOTORISTS FACE LONG DELAYS IN RYDE OWING TO WESTRIDGE CROSS ISSUE
-
POLICE SEEK WANTED MAN OVER FRESHWATER RAPE ALLEGATION
Useful Links
External Links
Ha! What could possibly go wrong??
Nippers pinched granddad’s driving licence again,first scooters,then bikes and now a car. What if you don’t get it back within the hour?, does it drive itself back?.
April 1st keeps coming round again and again….
I wonder if they have fitted reinforced roofs to all Island models? And of course a breathalyser/ drug tester to enable the battery to function ,otherwise they could live to regret this
Obviously have not seen the way Numpty’s drive on
Islands Roads.
EVs should not be allowed on Red Funnel. When they catch fire, the car deck is directly beneath the passenger decks
Then if you’re all for safety we should not let any fossil fuel cars including hybrids on the ferries too considering every year we have petrol and diesel car fires on the road but not a single EV fire. EV’s are significantly safer, the figures demonstrate this, the numbers do not lie. The most dangerous are the hybrids. But your position is illogical and ridiculous, you’re more likely to fall down the stairs from waring slippers than you are to ever have a fire of any car type on a ferry.
Clearly uneducated in your response. We have the tools to extinguish a petrol or diesel fire, we do not have the tools to extinguish one of these, if this went up on a ferry every one on board is doomed as your only option is to wait until the blaze extinguishes itself, which for one of these would be alot longer than fuel burning, but again the fuel fire can be put out instantly!
Another great idea from Elon. Why employ sales staff, whilst laying off 10% of your workforce?
I wouldn’t be interested in driving one of his poorly built appliances, but admire his ruthless business sense.
Ahh…. I’ll just borrow my mums D licence. She’ll never know ( until I crash the car)
The only problem buying a Tesler is that if you have a problem it has to be taken to Winchester for fixing.
Just what this island needs,there’s already enough drivers here that haven’t the brains required, this’ll just encourage more of ‘em.
Who on the island can afford a Tesla and the battery replacements, not to mention the charging cost if you can find a charger.
The 1% who avoid taxation?
New Teslas are cheaper than most new regular vehicles. If you don’t have a drive though to charge at home then yes not too practical.
That one is £50k.
Do they remotely crash into eachother as well!?