Saudi EV Market Accelerates with Showroom Surge and Strategic Expansion
As of July 2025, Saudi Arabia’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape is shifting gears, with global players ramping up their presence. The Saudi EV Market, once limited to early adopters, now stands on the cusp of rapid growth driven by aggressive expansions, government ambitions, and rising consumer interest.
BYD Triples Saudi Showrooms—10 Total by 2026
In July 2025, Chinese automaker BYD confirmed plans to triple its Saudi footprint from 3 to 10 showrooms by late 2026. This aggressive strategy comes on the heels of BYD’s regional momentum, having first launched in May 2024 with its initial outlet, followed by a Dubai location in September.
Jerome Saigot, BYD’s managing director for Saudi Arabia, underscored the urgency: “You need to go fast. You need to think big.” The showroom count increase is poised to boost 5,000+ projected vehicle sales for 2025, improving local access to EV servicing and distribution.
Tesla Enters Riyadh: Competitive Pressure Builds
Tesla officially entered the Saudi EV Market in April 2025 with a new showroom in Riyadh. The U.S. automaker already maintains operations in Qatar, Jordan, Israel, and UAE, but its Saudi debut marked a significant inflection point in consumer awareness and market competitiveness.
While Tesla’s premium brand appeal drives industry cachet, BYD’s affordability and range of hybrid-electric offerings are set to compete on accessibility, nudging the market toward volume adoption.
Also Read: Tesla’s Saudi Entry: Will It Help Achieve the 30% EV Goal?
Lucid’s Factory Targets 5,000 Annual Saudi EVs
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund–backed Lucid Motors continues scaling local EV manufacturing. Its September 2023 debut of the Jeddah facility has begun phase-one production—capable of assembling 5,000 vehicles per year. The next wave includes a new mid-size SUV model, reportedly designed for regional rollout.
Lucid joins Ceer, Saudi Arabia’s first domestic EV brand, which is slated to deliver its inaugural vehicle by late 2026, according to CEO Jim DeLuca. Both brands are aligned with the kingdom’s ambitions to become a regional manufacturing and innovation hub.
Vision 2030 Drives Saudi EV Market Investment
The Saudi EV Market is squarely aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 goals, which seek to reduce dependency on fossil fuels while catalyzing high-tech industry growth. Although adoption has faced infrastructural hurdles—dubbed the “chicken-and-egg” dilemma—new showroom builds, factory launches, and rising brand competition suggest acceleration.
Economic implications stretch beyond just car sales. Expansion efforts bring job creation across sales, servicing, logistics, and manufacturing. Consumer perceptions are also evolving, with EVs increasingly seen as practical rather than purely niche or luxury purchases.
Also Read: Saudi EV Ecosystem Growth: A $4.8 Billion Revolution by 2030
