Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday, while attending the inauguration of Tesla’s first Indian showroom in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, that he hoped Elon Musk’s company will consider this country for future plans for electric vehicle manufacturing as well as research & development facilities.
“This is more than just an inauguration — it’s a statement that Tesla has chosen the right city and state. Maharashtra is the entrepreneurial capital of India, and Mumbai represents innovation and sustainability. Tesla is not just a car; it’s about design and innovation — that’s why it’s loved across the world,” Fadnavis stated.
Even as Fadnavis waxed eloquent about Tesla, netizens took to social media with a series of memes asking questions like whether Mumbai roads and potholes were ready for the dazzling EV.
Serious concerns were also raised – both social media and automobile experts — on the car’s price and affordability by India’s middle-class and upper middle-class.
Price & comparison with Tesla in US
Based in Austin, Texas, American multinational automotive and clean energy company Tesla Inc. revealed the launch of Model Y as of now in India, with on-road price listed at Rs 61 lakh, or US dollars 70,000.
On the other hand, the rear-wheel drive model has been priced at Rs 59.89 lakh.
It represents a significant mark-up relative to Tesla’s other major markets, which mainly reflects the India’s high tariffs on EV imports, which the company’s CEO Musk has long-criticised.
The Indian price is about double of what it is available for in the United States, converting to INR from USD.
Delivery time, registrations, key features
With deliveries estimated to start from the third quarter, the U.S. automaker is targeting a niche electric vehicle segment in India that accounts for just 4% of overall sales in the world’s third-largest car market.
According to Bllonmberg News, five units of the Model Y have already arrived in Mumbai from Shanghai’s Tesla’s plant. These imported vehicles reportedly attracted over Rs 21 lakh in import duties per unit, in line with India’s 70% tariff on fully built EVs priced under $40,000.
The Key features of the Tesla Y-model to be available in India are — 235 bhp (RWD), 335 bhp (Long Range), Automatic, Electric.
As of now, Tesla is offering registrations in three Indian cities only – Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram.
The car will be most expensive for buyers in Gurugram.
Where will Texla be available initially?
How much will a Tesla cost you in India? About double the price it is available for in the United States. And in India, the cost also depends on where you live. Tesla is only offering registrations in three Indian cities so far: Delhi, Mumbai, and Gurugram. The car will be the most expensive for those living in Gurugram.
Model Y Rear Wheel Drive will cost Rs 66,76,831 on the road if you live in Gurugram, and Rs 75,61,021 for the long-range version of the EV. The price includes around Rs 9 lakh in GST and road tax for both variants.
It will be cheaper to buy the car in Delhi or Mumbai, as these cities have more attractive EV policies and offer significant waivers on road tax and registration for EVs. Gurugram, on the other hand, doesn’t have a blanket waiver.
In Delhi, the lower variant will cost Rs 61,06,000 on road, and the long-range option Rs 69,14,690.
To book a Tesla online, a customer has to pay Rs 22,220 upfront followed by Rs 3 lakh within seven days.
This is a non-refundable order deposit, including the TCS, which stands at 1% or about Rs 60,000.