Here’s why EVs are almost non-existent in Saudi
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For years, experts kept saying electric cars or EVs are the future! But here in Saudi Arabia, one of the top 20 car markets globally, people are asking: ‘”Are there electric cars in Saudi Arabia?” Right now, most cars are still gas-powered. Only a small percentage of all cars currently on the road are hybrid—let alone all-electric. Why? Simply because electric cars are expensive, and finding low price for car insurance can be tricky. So, many people are sticking with what they know.
So, what else is stopping Saudis from buying EVs?
5 Reasons why Saudis are turning a blind eye to EVs
1. Electric car costs are not really cost-effective in Saudi
The most obvious reason why EVs aren’t a thing in Saudi Arabia is the price tag. Compared to regular cars, electric cars are a whole lot more expensive to buy, run, and maintain. You’d be paying an arm and leg for the car itself, and then the ongoing costs like car insurance and the spare parts really add up.
High-end electric cars like Lucid and Tesla can cost over SAR 878K, while more affordable options like BYD still start at around SAR 234K💸🚘
At the end of the day, people aren’t going to switch to EVs unless they see real value for their money. In Europe, where gas prices are through the roof, EVs make more financial sense. But here in Saudi Arabia, with gas prices being what they are, the savings just aren’t there yet to convince most people to make the switch.
2. EVs are short on range, long on charge
People in Saudi are used to driving long distances — and that’s another reason why electric cars can’t compete with regular cars here!
Most electric cars just can’t cover the distance between two major cities, like driving from Riyadh to Makkah. Plus, with EVs, drivers will have to plan their commute around finding a charging station and waiting around for their battery to recharge—And that’s the kind of inconvenience that people simply don’t want.
3. There aren’t enough EV charging stations in Saudi (yet)
On top of being pricey and having limited range, there’s a serious shortage of EV charging stations in Saudi Arabia. At this point, there are about 20 fast-charging stations in the entire country. 8 of those are just in Riyadh!
To address this, there’s a growing push to mandate gas stations, especially those along highways, install EV chargers, according to Al Eqtisadiah, a Saudi business newspaper.
4. Figuring out how to fix electric cars is a challenge
Sure, breakdown chances in EVs are low, but they’re never zero! Unlike traditional cars, there’s little you can do to fix an EV yourself on the side of the road.
To make matters worse, finding spare parts and mechanics who know how to repair electric cars in Saudi is not easy. So if something goes wrong, you’re pretty much at the mercy of the dealership and their expensive repair bills.
👀 With an EV, you’d definitely need mechanical breakdown insurance
If you own an electric car in Saudi, you’ll want to think about mechanical breakdown insurance. It’s a type of car insurance, offered by Tawuniya, that helps pay for repairs if your car’s mechanical parts fail.
5. Finding comprehensive insurance for electric cars in Saudi is not easy either
As CNN Business Arabic reported, most insurance companies here are still struggling to figure out how to insure electric cars. Many flat-out refuse to insure EVs because they’re still considered “new” and unfamiliar. While others will offer insurance but with higher prices.
In general, EV owners will pay more than what others pay for a similarly-priced “regular” car because electric cars are more expensive to repair, their spare parts are harder to get, and not every workshop is certified to fix electric vehicles, especially those without local agents.
✅ Pro tip
Need to find which car insurance companies in Saudi cover electric cars? Use a price comparions website. They make it easy to find the right car insurance for you by comparing prices, options, and deductibles from top insurers
EVs are going to catch up, but they still have a long way to go in Saudi Arabia
Despite the challenges, or the slower-than-anticipated rate, the EV revolution is still very much happening. But it’s going to take a little bit of time for consumer confidence to catch up. With any new technology, there’s always some pushback. Take microwaves, for example—it took 20 years to reach just 10% of American homes, but then they quickly became a kitchen staple.
For now, we need to see lower prices, more aftermarket support, and more insurance companies ready to offer comprehensive insurance for EVs in Saudi.
