Tesla Rolls into the Kingdom
Tesla has officially arrived in Saudi Arabia. On Thursday, the electric car company launched its operations in the heart of Riyadh, setting up shop in a city surrounded by palm trees, wide roads, and desert heat. This marks a big moment in the country’s push to shift from gasoline to cleaner electric vehicles, or EVs.
At the center of the launch was Tesla’s bold and boxy Cybertruck, along with a newer version of its popular Model Y sedan. Both cars were on display in an outdoor plaza where curious visitors got to sit inside, snap pictures, and watch a giant screen showing the Cybertruck powering through sand dunes like a beast. It was a dramatic scene—one that shows Tesla means business.
Saudi Arabia wants more electric vehicles on its roads. Right now, only about 1% of cars in the country are electric. The government hopes to make that number 30% in the next five years. It’s a big goal, especially considering how many people still rely on gas-powered cars and how few charging stations are available.
Tesla’s plan for Saudi Arabia includes online ordering, so customers can buy cars from their phones or computers. They’re also going to set up pop-up stores in shopping malls and build fast-charging stations—called Superchargers—along with service centers. However, Tesla’s famous CEO was not present at the event, which disappointed some fans.
From Enemies to Partners
The launch didn’t just mark a business move; it also showed a shift in relationships. Tesla and Saudi Arabia had a rough past. A few years ago, there was a big argument over money and promises that never came true. Back then, Tesla said it might become a private company, claiming it had enough money lined up from Saudi investors. But the deal fell apart, and it led to lawsuits and angry messages behind the scenes.
Now, things seem to have calmed down. The relationship between Tesla and Saudi Arabia has improved in recent times. This new launch suggests that old disagreements have been set aside, at least for now. Both sides seem to be working together toward a shared goal—bringing electric vehicles into the mainstream in a country known for its oil.
Cyberattack Catastrophe: How Hackers Can Endanger Human Lives ?
Saudi Arabia has already supported another electric vehicle company called Lucid. That company is also setting up in the kingdom and is backed by Saudi Arabia’s big investment fund. Other competitors from China, like BYD and Zeekr, are also entering the market.
Charging Forward, Slowly
One of the biggest challenge is the lack of places to charge electric cars. That makes it hard for people to use electric cars for long trips.
In all of Saudi Arabia, there were only 101 EV charging stations in 2024. In comparison, the United Arab Emirates, which has a much smaller population, had 261 stations. That’s a big gap.
Critical Vulnerabilities: The Dark Side of Pacemaker Technology
Tesla says it will start by building charging stations in three major cities. But for now, most people won’t be able to drive a Tesla too far without worrying about where to plug it in.
Even so, the launch in Riyadh was a big moment. It showed that Tesla is serious about entering the Saudi market and that the country is ready to invest in new technology, even if it comes with some risks. Cybertrucks and electric dreams may be cruising through the desert now, but there’s still a long road ahead.
