After years of anticipation, the wait is finally over. Tesla has officially launched its first car in India – the Tesla Model Y, introduced on July 15, 2025, marking a historic moment for electric vehicle enthusiasts who’ve been dreaming of owning a Tesla for nearly a decade.
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Tesla: The Long-Awaited India Entry
Tesla Inc. opened its first India showroom, showcasing Model Y cars with a starting price of nearly $70,000, as Elon Musk’s electric-vehicle maker looks to tap new markets. This isn’t just another car launch—it’s Tesla’s bold bet on India’s luxury EV market.
The timing couldn’t be more interesting. While Tesla dominated global headlines for years, Indian buyers watched from the sidelines as the company delayed its India entry repeatedly. Now that it’s here, the question isn’t just about the car—it’s about whether Tesla can still capture the hearts of Indian consumers who’ve waited so long.
Two Variants, One Dream
Tesla is offering the Model Y in two compelling variants:
Standard Variant: ₹59.98 lakh ex-showroom Long-Range Version: ₹67.89 lakh ex-showroom
With an ex-showroom price of Rs 67.89 lakh, it definitely sits on the expensive side of things, but Tesla is banking on India’s growing appetite for luxury electric vehicles.
How to Book Your Tesla Model Y
Here’s where Tesla’s approach gets interesting. Tesla has launched its first showroom in Mumbai and opened online bookings for the Model Y across India. Buyers can customise, book with a ₹2 lakh refundable fee, and get home delivery in most cities.
The booking process is refreshingly straightforward:
Step 1: Visit Tesla’s Indian website and select “Order Now” Step 2: Choose your location and variant Step 3: Customize your Model Y (including the optional dual-tone black and white interior for ₹95,000) Step 4: Complete the payment process
Booking the Model Y requires a two-step payment process. Buyers must first pay Rs. 22,220 at the time of booking, followed by a second payment of Rs. 3 lakh within seven days.
Direct-to-Customer Revolution
Like it does in other international markets, Tesla follows a direct-to-customer model in India as well. This means no traditional dealerships—just Tesla, directly serving customers.
Tesla opens Model Y bookings across India with priority deliveries in Mumbai, Pune, Gurugram, and Delhi. Even if you’re not in these priority cities, Tesla will have electric car delivered to you anywhere in India.
What Makes Model Y Special
The Model Y isn’t just another electric SUV. The dashboard is simple and flat, with a soft-touch finish and a single horizontal line of ambient lighting running across its width. There are no physical buttons or dials as everything is controlled through Tesla’s signature touchscreen interface.
Key features include:
- Award-winning safety ratings
- Seating for up to five passengers
- Convenient technology features
- Tesla’s renowned Autopilot capabilities
The Reality Check
But here’s the plot twist: Tesla’s debut in India has not convinced its early backers, who waited for the company to enter the market for nearly a decade. The enthusiasm that once surrounded Tesla’s potential India entry seems to have cooled.
An explainer on Tesla’s India entry and whether it can still win over buyers in a crowded EV market reveals the challenge Tesla faces. The Indian EV market has evolved significantly during Tesla’s absence, with local and international competitors establishing strong footholds.
Delivery Timeline and Expectations
Deliveries for the base variant are expected to roll out in this quarter. The Long-Range variant deliveries are expected to begin shortly after, though exact timelines remain flexible.
Tesla’s virtual support, financing options, and delivery hubs are also available, ensuring customers across India can experience the Tesla ownership journey seamlessly.
The Verdict: Is Tesla Too Late?
Tesla’s India entry represents more than just another car launch—it’s a test of whether delayed gratification can still generate excitement in a rapidly evolving market. The Model Y’s premium positioning and direct-sales approach challenge traditional automotive retail, but success will depend on whether Indian luxury car buyers still see Tesla as the ultimate electric vehicle dream.
For those who’ve waited years to own a Tesla, the booking window is finally open. The question now is whether Tesla’s India chapter will be a comeback story or a case of arriving fashionably late to a party that’s already in full swing.
