Tesla Launches in India: Model Y Officially Available Starting at ₹59.89 Lakh

After years of anticipation, Tesla has officially entered the Indian market, launching the Model Y as its first offering. Starting at ₹59.89 lakh (approximately €60,000), the rear-wheel drive variant of the Model Y is now available for purchase. The Long-Range RWD version is priced at ₹67.89 lakh (around €68,000), while Tesla’s controversial Full Self-Driving (FSD) package adds another ₹6 lakh (roughly €6,000).

For those wondering about the hefty price tags — they’re not a typo. In fact, India is now the most expensive market globally to buy a Tesla, thanks to the country’s steep import duties, which can double the cost of imported vehicles. Since the Model Y for India is being imported from Tesla's Gigafactory in China, it is subject to a nearly 100% import tariff.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has frequently criticized India’s protectionist stance on EV imports. While rumors have swirled about Tesla potentially setting up local manufacturing or an R&D center, nothing has materialized yet. At the launch event in Mumbai, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis voiced optimism, saying:

> “In the future we wish to see R&D and manufacturing done in India, and I am sure at an appropriate stage Tesla will think about it.”

This marks a historic moment for EV enthusiasts in India, but affordability will likely remain a challenge until local manufacturing begins.