Mumbai: Tesla has officially made its debut in India with the launch of its Model Y electric car and the opening of its first retail showroom in Mumbai. The American electric vehicle company has priced the Model Y at ₹59.89 lakh (ex-showroom) for the standard Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) variant. The Long Range RWD model is priced at ₹67.89 lakh, reports New Indian Express.
Initially, Tesla will offer the Model Y in three cities—Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram—with deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
According to sources, Tesla has started its India operations by importing vehicles from its factory in China. The prices in India are significantly higher than in other countries due to import duties and transportation costs. In comparison, the Model Y starts at approximately ₹38.6 lakh ($44,990) in the United States, ₹30.5 lakh (263,500 yuan) in China, and ₹46 lakh (€45,970) in Germany. India charges a 70% import tax on electric cars priced below $40,000.
In the Indian market, the Model Y RWD comes with two battery options. The 60 kWh battery version offers a range of up to 500 kilometers on a single charge, while the larger 75 kWh battery in the long-range version offers up to 622 kilometers.
Tesla’s first electric car in India will compete with entry-level electric vehicles from luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Last month, Tesla signed a lease for a 24,565-square-foot warehouse in Lodha Logistics Park, Mumbai, for a period of five years. This move is part of the company’s preparation for operations in the country.
In June, Union Heavy Industries Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy mentioned that Tesla is not planning to manufacture vehicles in India for now but is looking to open showrooms.
Earlier this year, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that India will not create special policies just for Tesla. He emphasized that the government’s electric vehicle policies are meant to attract all global EV manufacturers equally.
These comments came after Tesla showed no interest in India’s new EV policy, which reduces import taxes on electric vehicles under certain conditions.
With the launch of the Model Y and the opening of its first showroom, Tesla has taken its first major step into the Indian market, which is rapidly growing and shifting towards cleaner transportation options.
