Tesla is expanding its electric car market into the heart of the oil-producing Middle East.
On Monday, the automaker announced plans to enter the Middle East market through the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The first vehicles to hit the road this summer will be the Model S and Model X.
During the World Government Summit held in Dubai, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the timing seemed right for the company to make a significant entrance in the region, particularly in Dubai.
The UAE already has two supercharging stations for Tesla owners, and the company aims to open five more by the end of the year.
Despite having vast oil and gas reserves, the UAE has set ambitious goals for green energy, planning to invest $163 billion over the next three decades to boost the use of alternative energy.
Related: Tesla unveils pricing for charging stations
This announcement is part of Tesla’s ongoing expansion strategy. Last week, Elon Musk hinted at Tesla’s possible entry into the Indian market.
Musk has also hinted at other plans, such as the development of heavy-duty trucks and high-capacity urban transportation, as well as the creation of a ride-hailing network similar to Uber.
While speaking in Dubai, Musk also discussed the future of robotics, forecasting significant advancements in autonomy and artificial intelligence. He predicted that in approximately ten years, it will be uncommon for cars to be built without full autonomy.
Related: Elon Musk’s unlikely secret weapon: Donald Trump?
However, Musk also cautioned about the “disruptive” nature of autonomous vehicles.
“This disruption I’m talking about will occur over a period of about 20 years. Still, 20 years is a relatively short amount of time to have around 12% to 15% of the workforce becoming unemployed,” he stated.
Musk emphasized the importance of governments closely monitoring artificial intelligence, promoting sustainable transportation, and addressing mass unemployment concerns.
“This will present a significant social challenge. Ultimately, we need to consider implementing a universal basic income. I believe we don’t have any other choice,” he said. “There will be fewer and fewer jobs that a robot cannot perform better.”
— Seth Fiegerman contributed to this report.
CNNMoney (Dubai) First published February 13, 2017: 11:06 AM ET
