Elon Musk’s Tesla cars have long been awaited in India, but the launch has been delayed again. The cars are expected in India by 2019, but there are no signs of Tesla entering the country.
Tesla Launch Delayed Again!
Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to a question about the Tesla launch in India by tweeting: “Still working through a lot of challenges with the government.”
In a Tweet, CEO Elon Musk previously stated that the company wanted to launch cars in India but that the country’s import levies on electric vehicles (EVs) prevented it.
In response to Youtuber Madan Gowri’s tweet, “please launch Tesla cars in India as soon as possible!”
Musk replied: “Want to launch Tesla in India, but the import duties are the highest in the world of any large country”. Also, clean energy vehicles are treated the same as diesel and petrol, which seems incompatible with the country’s climate goals.”.
Still working through a lot of challenges with the government
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2022
According to Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Tesla’s cars will be affordable when they are introduced in India. He promised that the cars would be priced at Rs 35 lakh.
Tesla Model 3 To Be Launched In India?
Additionally, a blue Tesla model was spotted in Pune, India, further confirming Tesla’s entrance into the Indian market.
Tesla’s Model 3 is a preliminary model with a battery capacity of 50 kWh to 75 kWh. The vehicle is currently available in Standard Range (RWD), Standard Range Plus (RWD), Long Range (AWD), and Long Range Performance (AWD). The driving range of the EV varies from 381 km to 580 km, according to WLTP tests.
The price of this luxury car is expected to be around Rs 55 lakh. Due to the lack of solid competition in the EV automobile sector, Tesla has an advantage regardless of its price.
Tesla plans to open mega showrooms in 3 metropolises in India. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted in the past about his intention to enter India this year. In addition, Tesla has appointed CBRE Group Inc, a global property consultant, to scout locations for mammoth showrooms and service centres spanning 20-30,000 square feet.
The electric vehicle (EV) giant selected New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru as its target cities for the affluent market.