Tesla Launches Model Y in India at Rs 60 Lakh Amid High Import Duties

New Delhi (India) July 15: The price of Tesla's first electric vehicle for the Indian market has been revealed. The price list posted on Tesla's website on Tuesday. It states that the Model Y SUV is the company's first offering in India. It will start at $69,766.

High Price Due to Import Taxes

The base model of the Model Y with rear-wheel drive costs Rs 60 lakh when paid for with cash. The Model Y long-range rear-wheel drive model costs Rs 68 lakhs. It is more expensive. These costs apply to fully constructed units (CBUs) that will be brought into the nation.

In India, the Model Y will be subject to major customs taxes and tariffs because it would be offered as a completely imported vehicle.

The starting price of the Model Y is 45,970 euros in Germany, 263,500 yuan in China, and $44,990 in the US. Because of import taxes and shipping expenses, the Indian version is among the priciest.

The RWD version of the Tesla Model Y can go 500 km between charges. The Long Range RWD model claims a better range of 622 km.

According to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC), the range of the Long Range RWD variant requires 5.6 seconds to accelerate to 100 kmph from a standstill. The variant Y RWD can do it in 5.9 seconds. Both models had the same top speed of 201 kmph.

Tesla has already imported products totalling about $1 million into India before its launch. These comprise not just cars but also car accessories and supercharger equipment. The majority of the products were sourced from Tesla's plants in the US and China.

It is expected that Tesla will import Model Y cars from its Shanghai-based Gigafactory. It serves as the company's primary export centre for Asia and Europe. Six Model Y SUVs have been brought into India as display or test cars.

First Store in Mumbai BKC

The first Tesla physical location in India has been finalized. It will be an experience centre in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). This will be the beginning of Tesla's journey in India. It is one of the city's most prestigious business areas.

The move into India is a part of Tesla's larger strategy to enter growing EV markets. India entered the EV market later than China and the US. But its growing demand, developing infrastructure and government incentives are drawing in international firms.

Aadrika Tayal