New Delhi: Tesla’s long-awaited entry into India appears to be gaining momentum. Senior company officials will visit in April to hold high-level discussions with key government officials, including Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) representatives.
As per reports, the delegation will sit with the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Ministry of Commerce, and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways representatives to finalize policy details and discuss investment possibilities. Given infrastructure and policy support, the company is shortlisting manufacturing sites, with Maharashtra and Gujarat being its top choices.
Tesla’s investment is projected to be ₹4 lakh crore ($48 billion), a substantial commitment that could redefine India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. The automaker has also initiated hiring in India, signaling its commitment to local operations.
Elon Musk had previously stated that Tesla’s entry into India was hindered by high import duties, which made Tesla vehicles expensive in the Indian market. However, with the Indian government now reducing import duties on EVs priced above $40,000 from 110% to 70%, Tesla’s plans seem to be accelerating.
The latest events come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States in 2023, where he met with Elon Musk and discussed Tesla’s possible entry into India. Musk said that Tesla would visit India “as soon as humanly possible” and praised Modi’s goal. The foundation for the current talks was laid during this encounter, which was regarded as a watershed in Tesla’s India strategy.
With meetings lined up with policymakers, the question remains: how soon will Tesla roll out its first car in India?
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