MUMBAI: Mumbai played host to a pivotal moment in India's electric vehicle narrative on Tuesday as Tesla officially inaugurated its first showroom, a sleek 4,000 sq ft experience centre at the upscale Maker Maxity Mall in Bandra Kurla complex (BKC).1 The much-anticipated debut marks the EV behemoth's initial physical foray into one of the globe's burgeoning EV markets, kicking off its Indian journey with the Model Y SUV.

The Model Y, imported as completely built units (CBUs) from Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory, comes with a rather hefty price tag for Indian consumers: the rear-wheel drive variant is listed at Rs 60 lakh, while the long-range version will set buyers back Rs 68 lakh.2 These figures significantly eclipse Tesla's base pricing in established markets such as the US ($44,900), China (263,500 yuan), and Germany (45,970 euros), largely due to India's substantial import duties. Customs documentation revealed each Model Y arrived at Mumbai port declared at Rs 27.7 lakh ($31,988), attracting over Rs 21 lakh in import duties, aligning with India's 70 per cent tariff on fully-built vehicles priced under $40,000.

Beyond the showroom, which is strategically located near Apple's flagship store, Tesla has imported nearly $1 million worth of Supercharger infrastructure and accessories from the US and China, earmarked for installation around Mumbai to support early adopters. The company is also establishing a dedicated service centre in Kurla West for after-sales support.

The long-term play for India appears clear. Tesla already boasts a registered office in Bengaluru and an engineering hub in Pune. Maharashtra deputy chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, underscored this broader vision, hailing Tesla’s arrival as more than a mere commercial venture.

"This is not just the inauguration of an experience centre but a statement that Tesla has arrived, a statement that it has arrived in the right city and state, that is Mumbai, Maharashtra. Mumbai stands for innovation and sustainability. Tesla is not just a car and car company but stands for innovation and sustainability," Fadnavis declared.

Tesla had teased its entry on its India-specific X handle with a coming coon" post, hinting at a July 2025 debut.