RIYADH: Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD Co. is set to expand significantly in Saudi Arabia following Tesla Inc.'s entry into the market, with the firm's managing director for the Kingdom announcing plans to increase its presence from three showrooms to ten by late 2026.

This development aligns with Saudi Arabia's strategy to establish itself as a regional EV hub and achieve 30% EV adoption by 2030, as part of its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

The expansion comes on the heels of Tesla's entry into the Saudi market in April, which joined BYD and fellow Chinese firm Geely.

This move is seen as part of a broader strategy to boost EV adoption across the region, supported by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund through investments in companies like Lucid Motors and the launch of its own EV brand, Ceer, alongside efforts to develop charging infrastructure.

However, despite these initiatives, EVs currently account for less than 1% of total car sales, facing challenges such as high costs, limited charging infrastructure, and extreme weather conditions.

Despite these hurdles, industry experts view Tesla's presence in the Kingdom positively, believing it will help raise consumer awareness about electric vehicles.

BYD has been making significant strides globally, outselling Tesla in Europe for the first time in April.

The increased momentum towards electric mobility in Saudi Arabia is notable, with nearly half of Saudis now considering an EV purchase due to Tesla's entry into the market.

This trend suggests a potential win-win situation for both consumers and automakers.

However, experts also warn of risks associated with the sector, including battery degradation in extreme heat and increased insurance premiums, which could impede adoption rates.