Tesla has officially announced the pricing of its first electric car for India, the Model Y SUV. The base variant of the Model Y is priced at Rs 61,07,190, while the long-range version costs Rs 69,15,190.
This marks Tesla’s long-awaited entry into the Indian electric vehicle market, a move closely watched by auto enthusiasts and industry analysts alike.
Compared to global markets, the Indian pricing is considerably higher. In the United States, the Model Y starts at around Rs 38,63,000, in China at approximately Rs 31,57,000, and in Germany at about Rs 46,09,000.
The higher Indian price is mainly due to steep import duties and shipping costs, making it one of the most expensive regions to buy a Model Y.
Despite the steep cost, Tesla’s arrival signals a turning point in India’s EV landscape. The Model Y offers cutting-edge technology, strong performance, and global brand appeal.
However, without local production, its reach may be limited to a premium niche. The future of Tesla in India may hinge on policy changes and expansion of charging infrastructure.
Tough competition from electric vehicles by Mahindra, Tata and MG is another challenge for Tesla due to its high pricing.
With such a price point, it remains limited to the rich segment and above, and does not cater to the larger population of India who are middle and upper middle class.
It will be positioned in the same premium segment as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, but is unlikely to penetrate the mass market segment below that.
Had it been in Chinese pricing like around 31.57 lakh, it would rule entire India in a far better way.
