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A Tesla Model X P100D electric SUV tows Qantas' new 787-9 Dreamliner at a remote taxiway at... [+]
The Dreamliner weighs 130 tons, far more than the Tesla’s rated towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. The feat was an attempt to earn the Guinness World Record as the heaviest tow by an electric passenger vehicle.
The Tesla Model X touts all-wheel drive and two engines, one delivering 503 hp and 487 lb-ft (660 N-m) of torque and a second producing 259 hp and 243 lb-ft (329 N-m) of torque.
Though the Qantas Dreamliner this Tesla towed was fully equipped with cabin interiors, there were no passengers or cargo onboard and only a small amount of fuel.
The Model X is far from the first electric vehicle to tow an aircraft. Electric vehicles are increasingly being put to use at airports around the world in various ground-service functions, including tugs. Qantas uses electric aircraft tugs at its bases in Sydney and Canberra as part of the airline’s plan to reduce greenhouse emissions from its operations.
Electric tugs have the Tesla X beat on brute force—they handle fully-loaded planes. But these workhorses cannot match the Tesla’s 351 miles range, aren’t suitable for open roads, and aren't quite as attractive in the driveway. Also, the Tesla X has falcon wings.
Anyway, this is all about the environment. Tesla and Qantas teamed up to make a point that transportation can be more environmentally friendly, on the ground and in the air.
“With more than 10,000 pieces of Qantas ground services equipment like catering trucks, aircraft loaders and other vehicles all running on diesel, even just a small shift to electric power will have an enormous impact in the move to a sustainable future,” the airline states in its announcement. “That’s why we’re continuing to collaborate with our friends at Tesla, driving innovation for our customers and increasing sustainability in the transport industry.”
Qantas also offered frequent flyers who own Tesla cars carbon offsetting credits for however many miles they drive and fly in June, as part of the airline’s Carbon Offsetting program.
The Tesla tow-de-force also benefits Qantas’ lifestyle brand strategy. The airline has aligned itself with consumer brands that appeal to their passengers through its frequent flyer program and online retail site, with offers ranging from curated wine selections to health care.
The airline’s 'green energy' brand cross-over with Tesla includes Tesla High Power Wall Connectors installed at the airline’s valet parking facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Qantas also collaborates with Tesla on innovations that support sustainable transport.
The Dreamliner is environmentally-friendly too. It was designed to be a fuel-saving aircraft, with reduced carbon dioxide production. These dreamy planes can also run on a biofuel blend of Jet-A—a 'green' advancement for aviation which Boeing scientists have been engaged in for years.
This is the second time that Qantas and Tesla have performed a car versus plane test. In 2106, the two companies organized a race between a
It was a tie on the ground, but then the plane took off.
