Tesla to Enter India with its Model 3 in 2021

The most valuable automaker in the world, Tesla Inc., is all set to introduce itself in the Indian market by 2021. According to the reports by ET Auto, the US electric vehicle giant will be bringing its bestselling and most affordable Model 3 in India by the end of the first quarter of FY 2021-22. While the deliveries will be starting later, for the electric sedan, bookings will commence in India from next month. In October 2020, CEO Elon Musk had tweeted about the entry of Tesla in India in the year 2021.

Though the company had first planned to launch the Model 3 in India in the year 2017 with its pre-bookings being opened in the year 2016, then due to the export policy of India and inadequate infrastructure, the plans to launch the Model 3 was delayed by the EV makers. However, now the plan seems to be taking off soon.

Tesla is expected to be following the direct sales model similar to international markets in India as well. The company will be banking upon digital sales, without appointing any dealers in India. The cars will be imported through the (CBU) completely built unit route and it is likely to be priced from ₹55 lakh onwards. As per the result of the company in the 3^rd quarter of 2020, the Tesla Model 3 with the Model Y is accounted for 89 per cent of the total sales.

Model 3, performance-wise is just as efficient as a usual Tesla. The fully electric sedan comes with a lithium-ion battery pack of 60 kW per hour. The car goes from 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds with its top speed of 162 mph. Besides this, the Model 3 also provides a range of 500 km. The Standard Range or the Standard Range plus (RWD-Rear Wheel Drive), the Long Range and the Long-Range Output (AWD-All Wheel Drive.) comes in three different versions.

As per the earlier reports, it mentioned that Tesla is also planning to set up an R&D centre in Bengaluru, for which at least two rounds of discussions with the Indian government have already been held. According to some other reports, it is said that the first facility of Tesla in India could most probably be established in either Kerala or Maharashtra.

Even if the car reaches the Indian market with its EVs unless the state announces major incentives and/or Tesla is able to start local production, they are likely to be beyond the reach of the masses. And it could be a rough path for Tesla in a price-sensitive country like India to really create a solid foothold – not just against the few EVs already present in India, but against everyday cars running on petrol or diesel. Nevertheless, if the reports are accurate, Tesla’s entry could mean an important move in the country’s EV scenario.