- Tesla launched in the UAE (2017), Qatar (2023), and Saudi Arabia (2025).
- The UAE is the most advanced Tesla market in the region.
- All core models, Model 3, Y, S, X, and Cybertruck—are sold in the Gulf.
- Pricing starts around $45,000 and goes above $120,000 based on model and trim.
- Charging and service networks are growing across all three countries.
When Tesla was founded in 2003, its goal was simple but ambitious: to change the way we think about cars by making electric vehicles the future of transportation. Nearly 22 years later, Tesla’s reach has grown well beyond Silicon Valley, making a strong presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The company first arrived in the UAE in 2017, not just as another car brand, but as a catalyst for change in the region’s automotive scene. Since then, Tesla has carefully expanded into Qatar in late 2023 and Saudi Arabia in early 2025, tailoring its models and support networks to fit each country’s unique pace.Today, the Gulf stands as a vital market in Tesla’s global strategy, with even its flagship models available, a clear indication of the region’s accelerating adoption of advanced electric mobility and its rising significance in Tesla’s international growth.Today, the Gulf stands as a vital market in Tesla’s global strategy, with a full range of models available, reflecting the region’s accelerating adoption of advanced electric mobility and its increasing significance in Tesla’s global growth.
United Arab Emirates: Tesla’s First Market in the Middle East
Tesla’s first official Middle East entry began in February 2017, when it launched in the UAE with the Model S and Model X, sold directly via Tesla’s website and supported by a growing physical footprint. The company began deliveries by mid-2017, opening showrooms and service centers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, and laying the groundwork for a vast network of over 300 Superchargers—some of them solar-powered. As of 2025, the UAE remains Tesla’s most developed GCC market, with five models currently available: the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck.
What’s Available in the UAE?
The Model 3 remains the brand’s most accessible offering. It’s sold in three trims:
- The Rear-Wheel Drive (325 horsepower) delivers a balanced mix of efficiency and performance.
- The Long Range AWD (441 hp) extends the car’s range while maintaining high-speed stability.
- The Performance AWD (513 hp) prioritizes acceleration, doing 0–100 km/h in just over 3 seconds.
Prices range from AED 167,990 to 219,990 (about $45,700 to $59,900 USD).
The Model Y, a compact SUV built for families and utility, comes in:
- A Standard RWD trim with 201 hp,
- A Long Range AWD version with 346 hp,
- And a Performance AWD version with 526 hp and a 7-seat layout.
Prices run from AED 198,170 to 239,770 (~$54,000 to $65,400 USD).
For luxury buyers, the Model S and Model X offer dual- and tri-motor configurations:
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Model S AWD : 670 hp, aerodynamic profile, top-tier range. - Model S Plaid: 1,020 hp with hypercar-level performance.
Price: AED 322,990–377,990 (~$87,900–102,800 USD) - Model X AWD: Same 670 hp platform with more space and vertical doors.
- Model X Plaid: 1,020 hp and 0–100 km/h in under 2.6 seconds.
Price: AED 342,990–397,990 (~$93,400–108,400 USD)
Also available: the Cybertruck, priced at AED 300,800 (~$81,900 USD). Though it launched globally in late 2023, UAE buyers now have full access to the dual-motor AWD variant, known for its armored design and off-road credentials.
Saudi Arabia: An Important Market Entry in 2025
Tesla launched in Saudi Arabia on April 10, 2025, opening its first showroom and service center in Riyadh, alongside a regional delivery hub. The launch was more than a retail expansion, it coincided with the Saudi government’s clean energy push under Vision 2030. Initial offerings include the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. Pop-up locations in Jeddah and Dammam are in development, and Superchargers have already gone live in multiple cities.
Vehicles Now Available in Saudi Arabia
The Model 3 lineup is identical to the UAE’s:
- RWD version priced at SAR 193,790 (~$51,600 USD)
- Long Range AWD: SAR 203,485–213,290 (~$54,200–56,800 USD)
- Performance AWD: SAR 237,985–243,290 (~$63,500–64,800 USD)
The Model Y is also sold in three trims:
- RWD: SAR 194,037 (~$51,700 USD)
- Long Range AWD: SAR 220,591 (~$58,900 USD)
- Performance AWD: SAR 241,017 (~$64,300 USD)
The Cybertruck is available for pre-order, with deliveries expected by the end of 2025. Saudi buyers are expected to receive both the Dual Motor AWD and Cyberbeast (Tri-Motor) configurations. This delayed but impactful entry aligns with the country’s broader transition to clean mobility and domestic EV production partnerships (e.g. Lucid, Ceer), showing Tesla’s place in a much larger national shift.
Tesla’s Growing Presence in Qatar After Recent Launch
Tesla began taking orders in Qatar in December 2023, and opened its first retail location in June 2024, located in Doha Festival City mall. Though quieter than launches in the UAE and Saudi, Tesla’s Qatar operation quickly brought its full vehicle lineup to market. Currently available: the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X, with pricing across a wide range of trims. The Model 3 starts at QAR 164,990 (~$45,300 USD) for the standard 60 kWh RWD trim.
- Long Range AWD (78 kWh): QAR 184,990–194,990 (~$50,800–53,500 USD)
- Performance AWD: QAR 214,990–224,990 (~$59,000–61,800 USD)
The Model Y mirrors this:
- Standard RWD: QAR 184,990–194,990 (~$50,800–53,500 USD)
- Long Range AWD: QAR 204,990–214,990 (~$56,400–59,100 USD)
- Performance AWD: QAR 229,990–239,990 (~$63,200–65,900 USD)
The Model S starts at QAR 391,190 ($107,400 USD) and climbs to QAR 431,490 ($118,400 USD) for the Plaid variant. The Model X ranges from QAR 407,290–447,390 (~$111,800–122,800 USD), depending on configuration. While Supercharging coverage is still developing, Tesla service is already active in Doha, with mobile support expanding to nearby areas like Al Khor and Ras Abu Aboud.
Tesla in the Gulf: What This Means Going Forward
With operations now active in the UAE (since 2017), Qatar (2023), and Saudi Arabia (2025), Tesla has completed its expansion into the Gulf’s three key economies. Each launch aligned with local conditions, policy support in the UAE, rising consumer demand in Qatar, and Saudi Arabia’s broader shift toward clean energy and industry.Across the region, Tesla now offers a broad lineup, primarily the Model 3 and Model Y in all three markets, with the higher-end Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck available in select countries like the UAE and Qatar. What began as a limited rollout has evolved into a tailored, multi-market presence that reflects the region’s growing appetite for premium electric vehicles.Tesla prices in the Gulf vary by country, trim, battery size, and drivetrain (RWD or AWD). Listed prices usually exclude VAT, registration, insurance, delivery, optional accessories, software upgrades (like Enhanced Autopilot), and home charging equipment. For accurate, up-to-date on-road pricing and configurations, visit Tesla’s official regional website or consult local showrooms directly.Q. Can I buy a Tesla in the Gulf region? Yes, Tesla is officially available in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with showrooms and delivery options active.2. What Tesla models are offered in these countries? You can buy the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck, with different trims depending on the country.3. How much do Tesla cars cost in the Gulf? Prices start around $45,000 (Model 3) and can go over $120,000 (Model X or S Plaid), depending on specs and features.4. Where can I charge my Tesla in the region? Tesla Superchargers are available in major cities, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and home charging is also supported.Q. Is Tesla service available locally after purchase? Yes, Tesla offers service centers, mobile service units, and support through its app in all three countries.
