Tesla Model Y Deliveries to Begin in India This September
Tesla is all set to start Model Y deliveries in India from early September, following the SUV’s launch in July. The first phase of handovers will take place in Delhi, Mumbai, Gurugram, and Pune, marking the EV maker’s official entry into the Indian premium electric SUV segment.
Tesla Model Y Bookings: Off to a Slow Start
Despite the hype surrounding Tesla’s arrival, the Model Y has recorded just 600 bookings so far in India. Of these, reports suggest that only 350–500 units are expected to be delivered in the coming months.
This figure falls well short of Tesla’s internal target of saturating its 2,500-unit annual quota for India. To put things into perspective, Tesla sells roughly the same number of Model Ys in global markets every four hours, highlighting the challenges unique to India’s EV landscape.
High Tariffs Impacting Affordability
A key reason behind the lukewarm response is the steep pricing. The Tesla Model Y starts at ₹59.89 lakh (ex-showroom) in India, primarily due to heavy import duties on completely built units (CBUs).
In June, the government introduced the SPMEPCI scheme, offering reduced 15% import duty for carmakers willing to invest in local EV manufacturing. However, Tesla has so far shown no intent to build cars in India, which means it cannot leverage this policy to lower prices.
Market Context and Competition
Data from JATO Dynamics indicates that just over 2,800 electric cars priced between ₹45 lakh and ₹70 lakh were sold in India from January to June 2025. While this shows there’s some demand in the premium EV space, Tesla’s booking numbers don’t quite reflect its global brand appeal or the anticipation that preceded its launch.
Industry experts also point out Tesla’s minimal marketing efforts in India, which may be hampering visibility compared to rivals who actively push their EV offerings.
Tesla’s India Expansion Plans
Despite the slow start, Tesla is gradually strengthening its presence in India. The company has already deployed Supercharger stations in Delhi and Mumbai, and plans are underway to open a third experience centre in South India next year.
This strategy suggests Tesla is playing a long game in India, focusing first on infrastructure and brand establishment before scaling up sales volumes.
All prices mentioned are ex-showroom, India.
