Tesla India Debuts Today – Models Start at ₹60 Lakh!

Tesla has officially entered the Indian market with the launch of its Model Y electric vehicle, starting at ₹60 lakh (around \$70,000), and inaugurated its first showroom in Mumbai today.

The new showroom is located at Maker Maxity Mall in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), a premium area in Mumbai. With its minimalist design featuring a black Tesla logo on a white backdrop and a partially unveiled Model Y on display, the launch attracted attention from curious onlookers.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who attended the opening, expressed hopes that Tesla would eventually set up research, development, and manufacturing operations in India. He invited the electric vehicle maker to consider Maharashtra as a base for future expansion, noting the state’s strengths in innovation and sustainability.

Fadnavis emphasized that Mumbai is more than just a financial and entertainment hub—it is also a center of entrepreneurship and innovation. He described Tesla as a company that represents not only automobiles but also cutting-edge design, sustainability, and technological innovation.

Tesla is launching two versions of the Model Y in India. The rear-wheel drive model is priced at ₹60.1 lakh (\$70,000), while the long-range variant costs ₹67.8 lakh (\$79,000). These prices are considerably higher than in other global markets due to India’s steep import duties. For comparison, the same Model Y starts at ₹38.6 lakh (\$44,990) in the United States, ₹30.5 lakh (\$36,700) in China, and ₹46 lakh (\$53,700) in Germany.

Despite the premium pricing, Tesla is expected to appeal to affluent buyers in India’s urban centers. The company enters a market where electric vehicles still represent a small fraction of sales, although interest in EVs is growing. Currently, electric vehicles make up only 4% of India's total car sales, but the government aims to increase this to 30% by 2030 through various tax breaks and incentives.

While Tesla joins a segment currently dominated by German luxury automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, local players such as Tata Motors and Mahindra are leading EV adoption in the mass market. Tesla’s entry is expected to further boost awareness and interest in electric mobility across the country.