Considering a Tesla in a Country with Limited EV Infrastructure – Need Advice!

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

I use abetterrouteplanner for trip simulations. That's how I decided I could buy a Model 3 back in 2018. ABRP, just looking at your trip, I threw it into ABRP fast, from the airport to the service center, and I came up with 557mi, and almost 9hrs, with 2 stops for charging. The first one is a 150kW CCS, not Tesla, so it only has 2 stalls, which is risky if either go down, and if there's a line.View attachment 1064867
Anyhow, make sure you spec the exact vehicle you may be buying, and put as many of the known knowns that you can.

On your map, it is avoiding the eastern Saudi Highway 5. Supercharge.info Mapbox/OSM does the same.

Google routes directly on it. According to a CNN article from January 2024 the new highway 5 can be used all the way between UAE and Kuwait.
That would cut 55 miles/87 km off the first leg.

That would make a substantial difference not just because of reduced driving time, but because there is another charging location 20 miles away from the pair in Abu Samra with 2 x 2 CCS plugs.
Not a diversion anyone would _want_ to make, but at least it would provide a back-up.

 

[HeyitsQue]

Really appreciate all your input, everyone. While the conversation had different perspectives, I can see both sides of the argument.

Unfortunately, I can't afford to keep the Wrangler, but my wife has a reliable car we can fall back on if needed. After digging a bit deeper, I discovered there's a Tesla service center in Qatar, which is about 374 km away. That doesn't seem too bad, especially when I consider that some of you are even farther from a service center. There are other EV options here in Bahrain, but they're at least 50% more expensive than the MSRP, and that's not something I'm willing to consider. My risk tolerance is pretty high, and now that I know there is a service center in Qatar and is just 374 km away, it feels more manageable.

To clarify, I'm looking at the Model 3 Performance or Long Range, with a slight preference for the Long Range. Given everything you've all shared, does the 374 km distance to a service center change anyone's perspective on this? I'm leaning towards going for it and I just might pull the trigger! Thanks again for all your insights!

 

[mborkow]

How much will it cost to tow your car to the SC in Qatar?

 

[jjrandorin]

Given everything you've all shared, does the 374 km distance to a service center change anyone's perspective on this?

As long as you are not planning on the following being the way the car operates:

I could just charge it at home and I'll be good for a week on 450km range!

Because as I said it doesnt work that way. The big thing though, is you want to do it, and are going into it eyes wide open. The other thing is that you have another car in case something goes sideways:

but my wife has a reliable car we can fall back on if needed.

Given those two things, it sounds like you would be fine.

 

[GSP]

@HeyitsQue - Opinions vary, but my opinion is that the M3 Long Range is plenty quick and fun to drive. You can buy acceleration boost software upgrade to make it even quicker, but not quite as quick as the M3 Performance. In my mind range is king for EVs, and power is usually more than adequate. I would not pay extra to get less range.

GSP

 

[KenC]

LR!

 

[mborkow]

LR RWD…

 

[PianoAl]

does the 374 km distance to a service center change anyone's perspective on this?

This now matches my situation exactly (370 km to my SC). So go for it! YOLO.

 

[Dear_OP]

I imagine one would be at max A/C driving around that would sap more energy. So that 450km range will certainly drop.

IIRC Lucid is funded by Saudi elites. I imagine that brand is probably more prolific there.

 

[coleAK]

I’m in Alaska and I have 10 years now with 2 Teslas (4 with a S and now 6 with a 3). Prior to last summer we had no charging infrastructure and I only charged at home or slowly on 30/50a RV power hookups at campgrounds. My closest Tesla service center is still ~2300 miles (~3700 km) away. We do have the option for mobile service inconsistently (but I’ve only used them once for a recall).

I have no regrets and the Teslas are great cars although with the EV selection we now have in the US if I was buying my first EV today it likely be a Tesla (we have way more choices and some with local service).

All that said I would only strongly be against it if the Tesla will be your only vehicle.