🚀 Grand India Launch: The Dawn of Tesla in India
Tesla officially entered India on July 15, 2025, launching the Model Y—its premier SUV offering in the country. The event took place at its first Indian showroom in Mumbai’s Bandra‑Kurla Complex (BKC), inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who hailed Tesla’s debut as a major milestone in India’s EV journey. The event emphasized India’s readiness for clean and sustainable mobility.
💰 Price & Variant Breakdown
Tesla India offers two Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) variants:
- Model Y Standard RWD — ₹59.89 lakh (ex‑showroom)
- Model Y Long-Range RWD — ₹67.89 lakh (ex‑showroom)
Additional costs include:
- Administration & Service Fee: ₹50,000 + 18% GST
- On-road prices: ~₹61.07 lakh (Standard) and ~₹69.15 lakh (Long Range) depending on city
🔋 Range & Performance Specs
Standard RWD
- Battery: ~60 kWh (likely LFP chemistry)
- WIth WLTP Range: ~500 km
- 0–100 km/h: ~5.9 seconds
- Top Speed: ~201 km/h
Long-Range RWD
- Battery: ~75 kWh (NMC chemistry)
- WLTP Range: ~622 km
- 0–100 km/h: ~5.6 seconds
- Top Speed: ~201 km/h
🎨 Design, Features & Interiors
Exterior
- Sleek, coupe‑like profile with flush door handles
- Connected LED DRL light bar front and rear
- Standard 19″ cross-flow wheels
- One standard exterior color: Stealth Grey; others (e.g. Pearl White Multi‑Coat, Ultra Red) available at ₹95,000 to ₹1.85 lakh extra
Interior
- 15.4‑inch central infotainment screen, nearly all controls via touchscreen
- 8‑inch rear-seat display for climate and media
- Panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting, and dual-zone climate control
- Front seats: power, heated & ventilated
- Rear seats: heated, power folding
- Interior themes: all-black standard; black & white option available for ₹95,000 extra
🧠 Technology & Driver Assistance
Autopilot & FSD (Optional)
- Tesla’s Autopilot is standard; Full Self-Driving (FSD) package available at an extra ₹6 lakh
- FSD includes Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, Summon, Traffic Light Control, and more—subject to regulatory approval and driver supervision in India
Other Tech
- Over‑the‑air (OTA) updates
- Entertainment including Tesla Arcade, streaming apps, Dog Mode, Sentry Mode
- Eight exterior cameras, powered functions including liftgate and AC vents
- Cabin acoustic insulation and infrared reflective glass to reduce road and solar heat
⚡ Charging & Warranty
- Supports DC fast charging via Tesla’s Supercharger network: ~267 km of range added in ~15 minutes
- Home charging via Tesla wall connector; CCS2 compatibility with public chargers included
Warranty Coverage:
- 4 years / 80,000 km for vehicle
- Powertrain & battery: up to 8 years (approx. 192,000 km) — varies by region and usage
📅 Booking & Delivery Timeline
- Booking Deposit: ₹22,000 (non‑refundable)
- Secondary deposit: ~₹3 lakh within a week on Tesla’s India website
- Deliveries expected from Q3 2025 for Standard RWD, and Q4 2025 for Long-Range RWD
- Initial sales in Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram; further showrooms planned in Bengaluru and other metro cities
💠 Strategic Context & Market Position
- Priced significantly higher than U.S., China, and European markets due to import duties over 70% and shipping costs
- Aimed at the luxury EV segment; competition includes BMW iX1, Kia EV6, Volvo C40 Recharge, Mercedes-EQA, BYD Sealion 7 and others
- Tesla entered India as a Completely Built Unit (CBU)—local assembly or manufacturing is not yet confirmed but remains under discussion
📋 India-Specific Model Y Summary Table
| Specification | Standard RWD | Long-Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom Price | ₹59.89 lakh | ₹67.89 lakh |
| On-Road Price (est.) | ~₹61.07 lakh | ~₹69.15 lakh |
| Battery Size | ~60 kWh | ~75 kWh |
| WLTP Range | ~500 km | ~622 km |
| Acceleration (0–100 km/h) | ~5.9 s | ~5.6 s |
| Top Speed | ~201 km/h | ~201 km/h |
| FSD Option | Optional at ₹6 lakh | Optional at ₹6 lakh |
| Colour Options | Stealth Grey (standard) + 5 paid options | Same |
| Interior Themes | All-black (standard), Black‑and‑White ₹95k | Same |
| Major Features | Autopilot, OTA updates, premium cabin, fast charging | Same |
✅ Pros & Constraints
Strengths
- Tesla’s global brand strength — top-tier EV leader
- Long driving range and robust performance
- Minimalist, tech-forward cabin with OTA system and in-cabin entertainment
- Supercharger network, advanced ADAS and scalable FCA capabilities
Limitations
- Premium pricing limits appeal to affluent urban buyers
- No local manufacturing; import duties inflate cost
- Full autonomy functionality constrained by Indian regulatory environment
- Infrastructure (Superchargers, repair facilities) still scaling up
🧭 Final Thoughts
Tesla’s Model Y India launch is a landmark event in the country’s transitioning EV space. While the high price tags limit mainstream access, the offering caters to premium buyers looking for performance, brand experience, and future-ready automotive technology. The sustained success of the Model Y in India will depend on Tesla’s ability to expand supercharger infrastructure, secure regulatory approvals for advanced features, and potentially establish local production to reduce pricing pressure.
