Inside the Saudi EV Battery Gigafactory Dream: Lucid, PIF, and the Make-or-break Local Supply Chain
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Inside the Saudi EV Battery Gigafactory Dream: Lucid, PIF, and the Make-or-break Local Supply Chain

Published on: May 09, 2026 | Author: Marketing & Communications

The phrase “saudi ev battery gigafactory” is often used to describe a big shift: moving from importing parts to building key EV systems inside the Kingdom. Lucid’s AMP-2 facility in King Abdullah Economic City is now a key test of that idea. The company has shown signs it is moving from semi-knockdown assembly to fuller production, including paint shop processes and robotic handling.

Several sources describe different production figures for the same Saudi site. Arab News says the plant currently produces 5,000 vehicles per year, with plans to scale to 155,000 units annually. Another report says the AMP-2 facility is expected to reach up to 155,000 vehicles a year and spans about 1.3 million square meters. InsideEVs also says the expanded plant will be able to produce 150,000 vehicles per year once the 2026 expansion is finished.

Lucid began SKD operations at the site in September 2023, assembling imported vehicle kits from its Arizona factory. In January 2024, Lucid started transforming the plant into a Complete Build Unit facility. By the first week of 2025, Lucid said it had been recognized as a “Saudi Made” company under the Kingdom’s industrial program.

Why Battery Packs and Suppliers Matter as Much as the Factory

A key point for any “saudi ev battery gigafactory” story is what becomes local, not just where cars are assembled. A Yahoo Finance report says the shift to full vehicle production means car bodies, battery packs, and final assembly will take place locally. InsideEVs adds that once the new part of the plant is completed, it will be able to begin manufacturing parts for the vehicles, so not everything has to be shipped from the other side of the world. It also says the Saudi government is looking to bring a third-party battery manufacturer into the area to supply the Lucid plant.

This push is closely tied to PIF. Wikipedia notes PIF became the majority shareholder of Lucid in April 2019. Other sources also describe PIF as Lucid’s largest shareholder, holding more than 50%, and say it has invested more than $8 billion in Lucid since 2018. Another report puts PIF’s stake at about 56.9% after an April investment, and says PIF has invested over $9 billion since 2018.

Read also The Restless Race for Ev Charging Infrastructure Saudi Arabia: 2026 Targets, Operators, and Painful Investment Gaps

For Lucid, the local supply chain story is also about market access. InsideEVs says Lucid will deliver Saudi-made EVs to Europe starting in 2027. It also says the company plans to finish the AMP-2 expansion in 2026. In the Middle East, Lucid’s footprint is growing too, with more than 100 AC chargers installed across Saudi Arabia, offered free of charge, while the Kingdom has over 2,800 charging points in major cities.

What is meant by the “saudi ev battery gigafactory” in Lucid’s case?

Sources describe a shift beyond kit assembly toward local production, including battery packs, car bodies, and final assembly at Lucid’s Saudi site.

Where is Lucid’s Saudi factory located?

Lucid’s AMP-2 facility is located in King Abdullah Economic City, within the King Salman Automotive Cluster.

How big could Lucid’s Saudi production capacity become?

Arab News reports plans to scale to 155,000 vehicles per year, while InsideEVs reports a 150,000 vehicles per year figure for the expanded plant.

What role does PIF play in Lucid’s Saudi expansion?

PIF is described as Lucid’s largest shareholder with more than 50% ownership, and multiple sources say PIF has invested more than $8 billion since 2018.

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