Tesla's inaugural vehicle debuts in India, with the company reporting over 600 vehicle sales
In a significant step towards promoting electric mobility, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik received the first delivery of a Model Y Tesla in India on Friday. This marks the entry of Tesla into the Indian market, with the company's first showroom in Mumbai having opened on July 15.
Sarnaik, who is also an ardent advocate for electric vehicles (EVs), has been in talks with Tata Power and Fortum Charge & Drive to expand the EV infrastructure in Maharashtra. The state government has rolled out incentives to promote EVs, including toll exemptions on the Atal Setu and the Samruddhi Expressway. However, specific details about the incentives offered for EVs and plans to expand the charging infrastructure have not been disclosed.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has taken a significant stride in embracing EVs, with nearly 5,000 e-buses inducted into its fleet. This move not only reduces the state's carbon footprint but also positions Maharashtra as a leader in EV adoption.
The sales in the luxury segment have been tepid, with only a 1.8% increase in the first half of 2022, amounting to 22,900 units. Despite the higher cost of EVs, Sarnaik emphasises the importance of setting the right example and accelerating EV adoption. The standard variant of the Model Y Tesla costs ₹59.89 lakh (excluding taxes and fees) and has a range of 500 km, while the long-range variant costs ₹67.89 lakh (excluding taxes and fees) and offers a range of 622 km.
The Model Y Tesla will be available in six colours, with Stealth Grey being the only base colour. Over 600 people have already booked a Tesla in Mumbai and Delhi since the company launched in India. Sarnaik, who purchased the Model Y as a gift for his grandson, sees this as a step towards promoting electric mobility in the state.
From January to July this year, Maharashtra accounted for 15,873 units out of 91,110 passenger EVs sold in India, indicating a growing interest in EVs. The state currently has an estimated market share of around 17% in India's passenger EV market.
As the government continues to encourage EV adoption, the future of electric mobility in Maharashtra looks promising. With the induction of e-buses, the entry of Tesla, and ongoing talks with other manufacturers to expand the EV infrastructure, Maharashtra is poised to lead the way in electric transportation.
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