India’s EV market braces for disruption as Tesla enters with Model Y, offering up to 750 km range and sleek minimalistic design
Mumbai, July 11 – Tesla Inc. is all set to mark its official entry into the Indian automobile market with the launch of its first showroom at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex on July 15, 2025. The company’s debut vehicle for India will be its best-selling electric SUV – the Tesla Model Y, which will be imported via the completely built-up (CBU) route, reportedly from the automaker’s Shanghai Gigafactory.
The entry of Tesla into the Indian EV ecosystem has been long anticipated, and the Model Y – currently the world’s top-selling EV model – is expected to stir up competition in the premium electric segment.
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Model Y Variants and Powertrain: RWD and Long-Range AWD Options
For the Indian market, Tesla is expected to introduce two variants of the Model Y:
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Long-Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
According to China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) standards, the Model Y RWD offers a range of 593 km, while the AWD variant delivers an extended range of up to 750 km per full charge — making it one of the longest-range EVs expected to be available in India.
Performance Specs:
RWD 0–100 kmph: 5.9 seconds
AWD 0–100 kmph: 4.3 seconds (Dual Motor Setup)
Dimensions and Wheels: Practical Urban Electric SUV
The Tesla Model Y offers a practical footprint, with dimensions that make it suitable for both city and highway driving.
Length: 4,797 mm
Width: 1,982 mm (with mirrors folded)
Height: 1,624 mm
Ground Clearance: 167 mm
The SUV is expected to be offered with 19-inch wheels in India to optimize battery range, although 20-inch wheels are also available globally. Larger wheels generally reduce the overall range slightly.
Design and Interior Features: Minimalism with Tech Edge
Tesla’s hallmark minimalistic design language continues with the Model Y. The exterior sports sleek LED headlamps, connected taillights, and a sloping roofline, giving it a coupe-like silhouette. Inside, the dashboard features a 15.4-inch central touchscreen, which acts as the main control hub for most vehicle functions, replacing traditional buttons.
Additional cabin highlights:
8-inch touchscreen for rear passengers
Fully foldable second-row seats
Panoramic glass roof
Wireless charging and premium audio system
Tesla Model Y Pricing and Import Duties: Premium EV for Early Adopters
Given Tesla’s CBU import strategy, the pricing for the Model Y is expected to start near ₹50 lakh (ex-showroom). Bloomberg earlier reported that five Model Y units were shipped from China at a declared value just under USD 32,000 each, allowing Tesla to benefit from reduced customs duty slabs (70%) applicable to EVs priced below USD 40,000.
The final on-road price, however, may vary based on variant, state-specific EV incentives, and registration costs.
What to Watch Next: Tesla’s Long-Term India Strategy
Tesla’s entry comes at a time when India is actively pushing EV adoption through PLI schemes, revised EV policy (2024) offering duty benefits for investments, and charging infrastructure rollout. Market watchers will be keen to track:
Local assembly plans or future Gigafactory prospects
Model 3 or Model 2 (budget EV) India roadmap
Tesla’s charging network expansion in metro cities
As Tesla positions itself in India’s premium EV segment, the Model Y will compete with vehicles like the BMW iX1, Mercedes EQB, and Volvo XC40 Recharge, and may redefine performance benchmarks for imported electric SUVs.
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