Tesla Officially Enters Indian Market with Model Y Launch in Mumbai

Picture: Reuters

Imported directly from China, this launch marks Tesla’s strategic move to tap into one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets.

[Picture: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters]

Tesla has currently opened bookings in two major cities—Mumbai and Delhi. While orders can now be placed, deliveries for the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) are expected to begin in Q3 2025, with the Long Range RWD variant scheduled for delivery in Q4 2025. Both versions—the Standard RWD and Long Range RWD—are available for reservation.

1. Standard Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)

• Price: ₹59.89 lakh (ex-showroom)
• Battery: 60 kWh (LFP)
• Range: 500 km (WLTP)
• Motor Power: 220 KW
• 0–100 km/h: 5.9 s
• Top speed: 201 Km/h

1. Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)

• Price: ₹67.89 lakh (ex-showroom)
• Battery: 75 kWh (NMC)
• Range: 622 km (WLTP)
• Motor Power: 220 Kw
• 0–100 km/h: 5.6 s
• Top speed: 201km/h

Tesla has not officially disclosed the detailed motor power or battery specifications for the India-specific Model Y. However, based on information reported by reputed automotive media outlets such as Times of India, The Economic Times, CarDekho, and CarWale, the Standard RWD variant is estimated to have a 60 kWh battery with approximately 295 hp output, while the Long Range RWD variant likely features a 75 kWh battery with similar motor capacity. These specifications should be considered indicative unless confirmed by Tesla.

These prices, equivalent to $70,000 to nearly $80,000 USD, are notably higher than Tesla’s pricing in other global markets such as the USA ($44,990 or approx. INR Rs 37.5 lakh), China (263,500 yuan or approx. INR Rs 30.5 lakh), and Germany (€45,970 or approx. Rs 42 lakh). The primary reason behind this steep pricing is India’s high import duty on fully assembled foreign vehicles, which significantly inflates costs.

Picture: X/Tesla India

Despite the premium pricing, Tesla aims to attract early adopters and EV enthusiasts in India, offering a solid four-year or 80,000 km warranty on the Model Y’s vehicle components and drivetrain.

Safety Features Include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning
• 360° Camera System
• Lane Departure Warning and Lane Centering/Lane Keep Assist
• Blind Spot Collision Warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert and obstacle-aware acceleration

The Indian government’s vision to have 30% of new vehicles as electric by 2030 aligns well with Tesla’s expansion strategy. However, the overall EV adoption rate in India remains modest compared to global standards.

While Tesla’s long-awaited entry into the Indian market is a notable development, its high pricing—largely due to hefty import duties—could limit its appeal in the price-conscious Indian EV segment. Competing against more cost-effective and increasingly popular alternatives such as BYD (Atto 3, Seal), Tata Motors (Nexon EV, Punch EV), MG Motor (ZS EV, Comet EV), and Mahindra (XUV400 EV), Tesla may struggle to gain significant market share unless it adopts a localized manufacturing or assembly strategy. These competitors offer compelling electric vehicles tailored to Indian driving conditions and budgets, making Tesla’s premium positioning a tough sell for the average buyer.