Tesla Delivers First Model Y In India To Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik
Tesla has delivered its first vehicle in India, handing over a Model Y to Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik at its Bandra Kurla Complex experience centre in Mumbai on September 4, 2025. The event marks a symbolic beginning for Tesla’s long-awaited entry into the Indian market.
Sarnaik had booked the Model Y on the day Tesla opened its showroom in July 2025, making him the first official customer in the country. The electric SUV is offered in two versions. The standard Rear-Wheel Drive is priced at ₹59.89 lakh, while the Long Range RWD variant is listed at ₹67.89 lakh. Both prices exclude taxes and import duties. With nearly 70 percent import duties applicable, the final on-road cost climbs close to the ₹60–70 lakh bracket.
The standard variant offers a 500 km range, while the Long Range model extends that to 622 km. Both produce 295 horsepower and can sprint from 0–100 kmph in 5.9 seconds.
Tesla’s Presence
Tesla’s India journey began with the inauguration of its first experience centre on July 15, 2025, by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The 4,000 square-foot facility in BKC was completed in just 45 days and follows Tesla’s clean, minimalist design approach.
A second experience centre was added in New Delhi’s Aerocity on August 11, spread across 8,200 square feet at the Worldmark 3 complex. Between January and June, Tesla invested around one million dollars to bring in vehicles, chargers, and accessories from China and the United States.
To support early customers, Tesla set up its first supercharger hub at the Bandra Kurla Complex. It includes four DC V4 superchargers capable of adding 267 km of range in 15 minutes and four AC destination chargers. Further stations are planned for Thane, Lower Parel, and Navi Mumbai.
Features and Safety
The Model Y is equipped with a 15.4-inch central touchscreen, wireless charging, USB-C ports, and app-based vehicle access. Tesla-specific features include Tesla Theatre for in-car streaming, Sentry Mode for parked surveillance, and Tesla Toybox, which offers light shows and sound effects.
On the safety front, the SUV comes with seven airbags, an electronic stability programme, and a five-star rating. It offers generous cargo capacity with 938 litres of boot space, expandable to 2,138 litres with the rear seats folded, along with an additional 116-litre front trunk.
Tesla’s optional Full Self-Driving package, priced at ₹6 lakh, is also available, bringing advanced driver assistance and semi-autonomous features.
Tesla’s Plans
Tesla’s approach in India contrasts with government expectations for local manufacturing. The company is currently importing cars, which keeps prices high and limits volumes. Despite incentives for setting up domestic production, Tesla has chosen to test the waters with imported units at a time when it faces surplus capacity globally and softening sales in other markets.
Initial deliveries will be staggered, with the standard RWD variant reaching customers in September 2025 and the Long Range variant following in the fourth quarter. Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, and Pune are the first markets to be served.
Transport Minister Sarnaik described the handover as a proud moment for Maharashtra, arguing it counters narratives about industries leaving the state. He positioned Tesla’s arrival as evidence of the state’s strong infrastructure and business-friendly policies.
As Tesla ramps up its presence with service centres and charging hubs, the Model Y’s debut marks the beginning of its effort to carve out a share of India’s premium EV space.