First Experience Centre Opens in Mumbai’s BKC
Tesla has officially made its long-awaited debut in India by opening its first experience centre in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on July 15, 2025. Six units of the Model Y electric SUV, imported from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory, were unveiled at the launch event, drawing media, fan, and police presence due to crowd control.
The launch follows years of delays, lobbying, and tariff talks between Tesla and the Indian government. The BKC showroom is Tesla’s first physical presence in India, with Delhi and Bengaluru expected to follow in the coming months.
Model Y Pricing Raises Eyebrows Amid Import Duties
Tesla launched the Model Y at a starting price of around ₹60 lakh for the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) version and ₹68 lakh for the Long Range AWD model. These prices are among the highest for the Model Y globally, largely due to hefty import duties (nearly 70%) applied to fully built electric vehicles brought into India.
For comparison, the Model Y starts at roughly ₹35–₹40 lakh in the US and China. The steep Indian pricing has sparked mixed reactions online, with critics questioning whether Tesla can find enough premium EV buyers in India’s price-sensitive market.
A Decade in the Making: Tesla’s Long Road to India
Tesla’s India journey has been a long one. Elon Musk first hinted at entering the Indian market in 2016, but the plan was repeatedly delayed over import duty disputes and the Indian government’s demand for local manufacturing.
Earlier in 2024, after renewed negotiations, Tesla was reportedly offered policy relaxations under India’s new EV import policy, on the condition that it would invest in a manufacturing plant within a set timeframe. This cleared the way for Tesla to test the waters through imports before committing to local production.
India’s EV Market Faces a Premium Disruption
India’s electric vehicle market is growing rapidly but is still dominated by two-wheelers and low-cost electric cars. EVs account for around 5% of total auto sales, with luxury EVs representing less than 2%. Tesla’s entry is expected to shake up the premium EV segment and challenge brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Hyundai, which have all launched high-end EVs in India.
Tesla’s move is also seen as a signal to global automakers: India is no longer an EV afterthought, but a high-potential market ready for world-class electric mobility—even if the price tag is steep for now.
Quick Facts – Tesla India Launch
- Launch Date: July 15, 2025
- Location: First showroom in Mumbai’s BKC
- Model Launched: Model Y (RWD and Long Range AWD)
- Price Range: ₹60 lakh to ₹68 lakh (ex-showroom)
- Cars Imported From: Tesla Gigafactory, Shanghai
- Next Showrooms Expected: New Delhi, Bengaluru
- Local Manufacturing: Expected to follow in 2–3 years
With its official entry, Tesla has turned a long-awaited promise into reality—signaling not just the arrival of a global EV giant, but the start of a new era for India’s premium electric mobility landscape.