indian-envoy-s-visit-to-tesla-factory-in-china-fuels-export-buzz

Tesla has launched showrooms and supercharging facilities in India, while plans to export its Model Y prime version are underway, although there’s no clarity on when the exports will begin. Industry buzz suggests the version may be exported from the company’s Shanghai plant.

A visit by Pratik Mathur, India’s Consul General in Shanghai, to Tesla’s Giga factory in the Chinese city last week fueled reports that India may soon start exporting the China-made electric vehicle model.

India is an emerging major market for Tesla in general, and the electric vehicles (EVs) in particular, said Mathur in a social media post.

“Model Y introduces Tesla’s benchmark EV technology (500–622 km range, world-class battery & software systems) directly to Indian customers,” Mathur told reporters after he experienced the company's Cybertruck, and added that the vehicles will be sourced from Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory – the world’s largest EV plant.

 

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The envoy also said Tesla has committed to deploying its supercharger network in India, beginning with Mumbai and Delhi, which will provide ultra-fast charging (267 km in 15 minutes) to local EV users.

“Tesla's entry is expected to accelerate charging infrastructure build-out, local supply-chain development, and competition in the premium EV segment, benefitting both Indian consumers and industry”, Mathur said.

The high-profile entry underlines India’s commitment to clean energy, EV adoption, and its 2070 net-zero vision, he said, adding that India would join the list of 50 Tesla markets worldwide.

Ahead of its entry to the Indian market, Tesla has begun hiring across retail, service, and autopilot operations in Mumbai and Delhi - the first step toward knowledge transfer and skill development, the envoy further said.

Mathur also pointed out that with incentives such as a 15 per cent import duty if the company invests USD 500 million and localises operations within three years, Tesla’s launch also sets the stage for possible manufacturing and assembly in India.