Tesla India opens doors today, and the first showroom has been set up in Mumbai’s Maker Maxity Mall, BKC. The carmaker’s operations come after years of speculations, cancellations, and controversy. Tesla is expected to follow up with more stores in India, most probably in Delhi, following the Mumbai store.
At the moment, Tesla will be importing vehicles, and they will be sold as CBUs. While this will be the way of sales for now, Tesla has been tight-lipped about its plans on manufacturing locally. The inauguration of the first Tesla showroom will coincide with the launch of Musk’s Starlink Wireless Services, which recently received approval in India.
So what’s today all about? Here are all the live updates from Tesla’s first official dealership in India and the launch of Tesla in India.
Tesla Model Y launch: Insurance details
With Tesla officially on sale in India, Acko has parnered to be the insurance provider for Tesla in India. Here are more details.
Tesla Model Y launch: More on the Kia Carens EV
The Kia Carens Clavis EV goes on sales in India and here are al the details you need to know.
Tesla Model Y launch: Payment and booking details
For those wondering, Tesla India takes cards and UPI. Here are some more details on loans:
Tesla Model Y launch: A bit more on FSD
We spoke about the how Full Self-Driving (FSD) was an additional Rs. 6 lakh extra. However, a few questions remain:
The website has some answers:
T”he currently enabled features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous. Some features require turn signals and are limited in range. The activation and use of these features are dependent on achieving reliability far in excess of human drivers as demonstrated by billions of miles of experience, as well as regulatory approval, which may take longer in some jurisdictions. As these self-driving features evolve, your car will be continuously upgraded through over-the-air software updates.”
Tesla Model Y launch: Bookings commence
Bookings for the Tesla Model Y commence in India. Customers can book the Model Y online and for those looking for a loan, the Model Y base variant (RWD) can be bought with Rs 6,09,969 as down payment, 60 months, 9.00% APR.
Tesla Model Y launch: Features and highlights
Now, let’s see more details of the Model Y. The car features a redesigned exterior with improved aerodynamics, updated wheels, tyres and brakes along with the suspension retuned. All these done for better ride quality. Inside, the Tesla gets a minimalist interior with a large touchscreen in the middle, and gets faster cellular and WiFi connectivity.
Tesla India Launch Live Updates: Kia’s EV gets 490km range
While Tesla has been an anticipated brand in India, the cost of the Model Y is something to consider, especially given the competition in India and its pricing. Now, Kia has also launched its latest EV in the form of the Carens Clavis, which offers a range of 490km and costs Rs 17.99 lakh onwards.
Tesla India Launch Live Updates: Pricing and delivery details
For those who missed it, here are the ex-showroom prices and the on-road pricing of the Tesla Model Y in India. Deliveries are set to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
Tesla India Launch Live Updates: Threat from Vietnam!
On the day of Tesla’s launch in India, VinFast, the Vietnam-based EV maker has announced bookings for two models that were showcased at the Bharat Mobility Expo — VF6 and VF7. Both electric SUVs will be launched later this year and will be assembled locally! Bookings for the VinFast VF6 and VF7 stand at Rs 21,000.
Tesla India Live Updates: Will scout for local talent
Tesla India is set to expand in the coming days, and as per the company’s APAC Chief, Tesla will look for local talent and not people from abroad. That said, all the Tesla showrooms will be owned by the company 100%.
Tesla Model Y: Price breakdown
If you’re wondering about the detailed cost of the Model Y, here are all the details you must know:
Want to buy the Tesla Model Y? Here’s what you’re actually paying
Tesla Showroom India Live Updates: Supercharger details
Mumbai and Delhi to get four charging stations each, soon, as per Tesla APAC chief, Isabel Fan. Mumbai will get 16 superchargers spread across Thane, BKC, Lower Parel and Navi Mumbai, while Delhi will get 16 superchargers spread across Aerocity, Saket, Golf Course Road and Noida.
Tesla Showroom India Live Updates: Superchargers to be launched
Range is one thing and charging the EV is another. Tesla says that the company will soon launch its ‘Superchargers’ in India, which can charge juice up the battery to go 267 km in 15 minutes. They have the industry’s best uptime – 99.95%. However, if you are to use a regular wall charger, the battery can get a range of 70km with 1 hour of charging.
Tesla Model Y vs competition – Quick comparison
The Tesla Model Y competes with other electric SUVs and crossovers in India, made domestically and from international brands. Here’s how it compares in terms of pricing, range, and acceleration.
Tesla Model Y has more competition
There’s more competition and this time from the Vietnamese EV maker, VinFast. The carmaker is set to launch the VF7 SUV, which has a claimed range of 450km, which is slightly lower than the Tesla Model Y, but also expected to cost lower. While Tesla has opened one showroom, VinFast has built a network ahead of its launch and will be interesting to see how they compare.
Tesla Model Y vs Chinese rival
Globally, BYD is the largest EV seller and Tesla stands second. That said, Tesla has entered a market where BYD has already set a firm foot and the Model Y’s closes BYD competitor is the Sealion 7, which costs Rs 48.90 lakh, ex-showroom. The BYD Sealion 7 offers a range of 567km on a full charge and can accelerate from 0–100kmph in 4.8 seconds, beating the Tesla Model Y squarely on all fronts.
Tesla Model Y acceleration vs competitiors
The Tesla Model Y RWD can accelerate from 0–100kmph in 5.9 seconds, while the RWD Long Range can accelerate to the same speed in 5.6 seconds. That said, the Mahindra XEV 9e takes 6.8 seconds to reach 100kmph and the Harrier EV takes 6.3 seconds (QWD)
Tesla Model Y range vs competitiors
The Tesla Model Y RWD has a claimed range of 500km, and at less than half the price, is the Mahindra XEV 9e, which has a range of 542km. Then comes the Harrier EV, which again, costs half the price and offers a range of 538km.
Tesla India pricing
The internet is on fire with comments for the Tesla pricing in India, and as per one user (@JamilKh12345678), “Citizens will pay ₹36 lakh as GST alone on each Tesla model. Ironically, the same Tesla costs only ₹35 lakh ($40,000) abroad. So basically, if you want a Tesla in India— Buy two: One for yourself, one for the Government.”
Tesla Model Y launched: All you need to know
The Tesla Model Y, an electric crossover, is the carmaker’s first offering in India, priced at Rs 59.89 lakh onwards, ex-showroom. Here are more details on the Tesla Model Y.
Tesla brings Model Y to India — prices start at Rs 60 lakh
Tesla Model Y Long Range
The Model Y Long Range is priced at Rs 67.89 lakh, ex-showroom and will cost Rs Rs 69.15 lakh on-road. The car has a claimed range of 622km on a full charge, while the top speed remains the same — 201kmph. The acceleration, however, is quicker than the standard version and it goes from 0–100kmph in 5.6 seconds.
Tesla Model Y range
The Model Y has a claimed range of 500km on a full charge, while the car can reach a top speed of 201kmph and can accelerate from 0–100kmph in 5.9 seconds.
The new Model Y will be availeble in two variants:
As of now, the Model Y will be available in Delhi, Gurugram & Mumbai.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Architect for Tesla’s first showroom in Mumbai, Neeta Sharada, says, “I have been fortunate to be part of Tesla’s journey in India, starting with the first one in Mumbai. The showroom features a minimalist look with a white background, lightboxes displaying Tesla images, and some Indian elements. We completed the project in 45 days.”
Devendra Fadnavis welcomes Tesla
“At the very outset, I would like to welcome Tesla to India. I think this is not just the inauguration of an experience centre, but it is a statement. A statement that Tesla has arrived. A statement that Tesla has arrived in the right city, in the right state, that is the state of Maharashtra and the city of Mumbai, which is the entrepreneurial capital of India, not just the financial, commercial and entertainment capital.”
While Tesla has officially launched its Model Y in India, deliveries are set to begin after September 2025.
What are the import taxes for Tesla in India?
Currently, India charges around 70–100% import tax on cars and Tesla is hoping that it will come down to 10% soon. This will help Tesla bring in more models from from Giga Berlin instead of Giga Shanghai, where the Model Y is currently brought in from.
“I must also mention that we have now in India, and especially in Maharashtra, a very big and robust market for electric mobility. We’re also a manufacturing hub of electric mobility now, but I think Tesla is going to change the entire market…. You must also look at our policies, as we have very good policies towards charging infrastructure, towards promoting EVs and also the best incentives towards manufacturing EVs.”
“It’s a good start, but eventually in future, we wish to see all the R&D and manufacturing being done in India. I am sure, at an appropriate stage, Tesla will think about that.”
The CM took his first Tesla drive back in 2015 and always wanted the company to come here. He says Mumbai has a good infrastructure for electric mobility and with Tesla’s entry, things will improve soon.
Maharashtra CM, Devendra Fadnavis has arrived at the Tesla showroom, and says Mumbai is a city of innovation. He says Tesla arrived in the right time and in the right state.
