The opening of its first showroom in one of the most famous areas of Mumbai, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on July 15, 2025 introduced a turning point in the history of the auto market of the country, EV maker Tesla has officially opened its first store in the city. The entry is being highly anticipated by the brand, and is not only being launched now, but also being accompanied by the release of the Tesla Model Y also. In this detailed blog post, we discuss the importance of this milestone, analyse the features, specifications and pricing of the Model Y and discuss the overall implications it will have when it comes to the EV industry in India.
Tesla’s Amazon: Why Mumbai First?
By location, connotation
BKC is the center of Mumbai as the place of finance, business and luxury brands, and this is why it is the most appropriate place where Tesla can capture the attention both in the country and around the world, which is already proved by the presence of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who hailed it as a changing point riding wave upon the entry of the Tesla into India
Testing the waters
Tesla’s approach is cautious yet ambitious: start with showrooms and imported vehicles, gauge interest, and potentially scale up to include local manufacturing or R&D in the future
Policy tweaks signal change
India recently softened import duties for EVs under $35,000 for firms committing to domestic factories within three years—seeking to attract marquee brands like Tesla, though the company is yet to commit
Showroom & Launch Event Highlights
Location: the Tesla experience store in Maker Maxity Mall, BKC that follows minimal design, VIP spaces, and open-style architecture
Guest appearance: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik attended the event, cementing Tesla’s alignment with state development and clean energy initiatives
Tesla leadership: Regional Director Isabel Fan led the guided tour, showcasing features like improved aerodynamics, ambient lighting, acoustic glass, and rear touchscreen
Security & buzz: Heavy police presence and media coverage earlier in the day, signaling the event’s importance ─ and public fascination .
Model Y: The Star of the Show
Tesla displayed two variants of the Model Y:
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) – ₹5.99 million (₹59.89 lakh) ex-showroom
Long-Range all-wheel-drive (AWD) RS AWD — 67.89 lakh rupees (ex-showroom)
On-road prices hover between ₹61 lakh to ₹69 lakh, pushing the Model Y squarely into luxury EV territory .
Why So Pricey?
Import tariffs >100%: India charges high duty on fully built EVs and some models are currently attracting 1,20,000 lakh of tax in duties alone
Shipping charges: We will be importing units in Shanghai and so they come at the cost of logistical expenses.
High-end positioning: Tesla would perceive it as a luxury item, instead of Tata or Mahindra, it is marketed at BMW and Mercedes levels in India
Specs, Range & Features
Performance & design: Improved aerodynamics, updated wheels, retuned suspension, top speeds near 200 km/h
Interior tech: 15.4‑inch touchscreen, dual-tone cabin, wireless charging, USB‑C ports, voice control, app access
Full Self-Driving package: Optional ₹600,000 add‑on, promising future autonomous driving capability
Tesla Superchargers & Wall Connectors: Within BKC, Thane, Lower Parel, Navi Mumbai and in Delhi-NCR, Tesla superchargers and wall connectors will be announced to manage the early adopters
Availability & Delivery Timeline
Pre-books now live on Tesla India’s website
Availability date: third quarter of 2025, the 500 km model; fourth quarter for the 622 km rear-wheel drive model
Expansion plans: First deliveries to Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon—with 7 Supercharger sites planned across Mumbai and the capital region
Strategic Implications: Beyond the Car
EV market transformation: With only ~4% EV penetration today, Tesla’s arrival could accelerate India’s shift to sustainable mobility
Building the charging network: Tesla’s ecosystem—Superchargers and home units—can catalyze infrastructure build-out beyond its own customers.
Local footprint prospects: While imported today, Tesla is under pressure to invest in Indian production—especially under incentive schemes—and government and CM Fadnavis have expressed hope for manufacturing or R&D following early success
Competitive ripple effect: Tesla entered the market with high end products and now local OEMs and global incumbents find themselves in a position where they have to innovate and grow to compete with the tesla premium products.
Final Take: A Calculated Bet
The decision of Tesla to enter India is daring and cautious. The premium pricing strategy is an importation strategy and the company is focusing on elitists, luxury consumers. However, with infrastructure deployment, and as demand increases, the route to local investment is becoming increasingly apparent and attractive.
It is no ordinary Mumbai launch with an unveiling of a car–it is a strategic foothold. The most important question now: Does Tesla have the intentions to go further with greater commitments (production, talent, R&D) that make this milestone a long-term venture?
TL;DR
What happened? Tesla opened its first Indian showroom in Mumbai and launched the Model Y on July 15, 2025.
Price? ₹60 lack (RWD) – ₹68 lack (Long-range AWD) ex-showroom; ₹61-69 lack on-road.
Availability? Pre-orders underway; deliveries slated for Q3–Q4.
Why it matters? Could reshape India’s EV ecosystem, bring high-tech infrastructure, and pressure both policy and local manufacturers.
Tesla does not just state it through its Mumbai showroom, it is a statement itself: India counts. When the Model Y hits the market, people will be interested to see how sales velocity progresses, what policy is in the works, and whether this electric giant will energize a place in the future. Wait on, and the story is only starting.