Saudi Arabia Gets Tesla: What This Means for the Future of Electric Cars

Tesla has finally made its official debut in Saudi Arabia, opening its first showroom and service center in the capital city of Riyadh. This marks a major step in Tesla’s global growth and comes after years of a complicated relationship between Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and the Kingdom. While the move has been met with excitement by locals, the intense desert heat could be a real test for Tesla’s electric vehicle performance and battery durability.

Back in 2018, Musk stirred headlines when he claimed that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund had agreed to finance his plan to take Tesla private. That deal never went through, creating some tension between the tech billionaire and the Kingdom’s leadership. Fast forward to now, and both sides seem ready to move on.

The Riyadh facility will showcase Tesla’s top models like the Model 3, Model Y, and the futuristic Cybertruck. Tesla is also launching temporary pop-up stores in Jeddah and Dammam to help boost exposure in key cities. The opening event in Riyadh attracted a wide crowd — car lovers, influencers, and curious locals all came to get a first look.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Bader Khalid, a local entrepreneur. “It is a major leap forward for electric vehicles here. Tesla coming to Saudi Arabia feels like the future arriving right at our doorstep.”

Despite the buzz, the Kingdom has some catching up to do. The public charging infrastructure is still limited, though the government has plans to expand the network as part of its broader sustainability goals under Vision 2030. That plan aims to reduce oil dependence and make 30% of vehicles in Riyadh electric by 2030.

Elon Musk remains a popular figure in the region. Young fans, like 17-year-old Mohammed Osama, admire him for pushing boundaries. “Even if some of his ideas seem wild, I believe it will all make sense someday,” Mohammed said. “He is always thinking about what comes next.”

There was some disappointment at the event as many expected Musk to at least make a virtual appearance. Still, the energy at the launch stayed high.

Globally, Tesla has been in the spotlight for more than just cars. Musk’s high-profile political moves, like his involvement with the controversial Department of Government Efficiency, have drawn both praise and protest. However, most locals in Saudi Arabia are not too concerned with foreign politics.

“What happens in the United States does not change how we feel about Tesla here,” said Khalid. “The cars speak for themselves.”

Meanwhile, Lucid Motors, another high-end electric vehicle brand, already has a deep footprint in Saudi Arabia. Backed by the Public Investment Fund, Lucid even plans to manufacture vehicles in Jeddah. The race toward electrification is clearly picking up speed.

Saudi Arabia is betting big on electric mobility. With Tesla officially in the game, it is going to be exciting to see how this next chapter unfolds.