Tesla
MUMBAI: Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) giant led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, is finally making its much-anticipated debut in India with the launch of its popular Model Y SUV.
The company has listed its Model Y cars on the official Tesla India website, with prices starting at approximately ₹6 million (about $69,770). This strategic move also comes as Tesla prepares to open its first showroom in Mumbai, India’s financial capital.
The Indian automotive market, currently the third-largest in the world, presents both challenges and opportunities for Tesla. Although the country has seen a surge in vehicle ownership, electric vehicles still account for only about 4% of total car sales.
Concerns over inadequate charging infrastructure and range anxiety continue to hamper widespread adoption, even among wealthier buyers.
Tesla’s entry into India positions it in direct competition with established German luxury brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which already have a foothold in the premium EV segment.
Meanwhile, in the mass-market EV sector, Indian automakers like Tata Motors and Mahindra dominate, offering more affordable electric options for the average consumer.
On Tuesday, the new Tesla showroom in Mumbai remained heavily guarded, with the vehicle partially hidden under black and grey covers. The showroom, situated in a secured office complex, had limited public access, and only a few curious onlookers managed to catch a glimpse of the setup. The Tesla logo, displayed prominently on a stark white wall, marked the company’s official physical presence in India.
Tesla’s India plans come at a time when the government is actively trying to boost EV adoption. The Indian government has set a target for electric vehicles to make up 30% of all car sales by 2030 and is offering tax incentives to foreign automakers that agree to set up manufacturing in the country.
While such incentives were designed to attract global giants like Tesla, Elon Musk had previously shown reluctance due to high import duties and other policy barriers.
Coinciding with Tesla’s India launch is Vietnamese EV maker VinFast’s pre-booking campaign for its VF7 and VF6 electric SUVs, indicating that the Indian EV market is heating up with competition from new global players.
Tesla is offering two variants of the Model Y in India: the rear-wheel drive version priced at ₹6 million ($70,000), and the long-range rear-wheel drive model priced at ₹6.8 million ($79,000).
By comparison, the same Model Y starts at $44,990 in the U.S., 263,500 yuan ($36,700) in China, and €45,970 ($53,700) in Germany, indicating a significantly higher cost for Indian buyers—largely due to import taxes and logistics.
Nonetheless, Tesla’s move into India signals its growing interest in tapping emerging markets and its intent to gain early traction among India’s affluent car buyers looking for premium, sustainable mobility solutions.
