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Tesla Model Y: India’s long wait for a Tesla is finally over, but there’s a hefty price to pay. Quite literally. The electric automaker has announced the arrival of its Model Y SUV, and it’s already making waves, not just for its tech or design, but for the eye-popping price tag, which is nearly twice what it costs in the United States.

A Price Shock for Indian Buyers

In the US, the Model Y starts at $37,490, which converts to around Rs 31 lakh. But in India, the on-road price begins at Rs 61.07 lakh for the Standard RWD variant. The Long Range RWD version pushes it even further to Rs 69.15 lakh.

Tesla Model Y costs ₹67.89 lakh in India, nearly double its $37,490 price in the US. pic.twitter.com/UjcPwoyWQs

— DealzTrendz (@dealztrendz) July 15, 2025

For an EV that’s often marketed in the US as a relatively affordable premium car, Tesla’s Indian pricing has instantly pushed it into a far more elite bracket. Bookings are now open with a non-refundable reservation fee of Rs 22,000, and initial deliveries will be limited to Delhi, Gurugram, and Mumbai, starting in the third quarter of 2025.

What’s Making Tesla So Expensive In India?

The answer lies in import rules and manufacturing realities. Since Tesla is not producing the Model Y locally, every unit comes in as a completely built unit (CBU), and that means hefty import duties, which can nearly double the cost of the vehicle.

On top of that, logistics expenses from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory and the lack of local EV subsidies only pile on more cost. Until Tesla sets up domestic manufacturing or benefits from a revised EV policy, such prices are likely to remain the norm.

What You Get for That Premium Price

Despite the premium, Tesla is offering a well-specced SUV tailored to India’s luxury market. The updated Model Y includes:

• A rear-seat touchscreen interface
• Electrically adjustable rear seats, a first for any Tesla SUV

• Two battery options:

  • 60 kWh LFP battery with approx. 500 km range

  • 75 kWh NMC battery with up to 622 km range

• 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.6 seconds for the RWD variant

These features position the Model Y as a performance SUV with comfort-first upgrades aimed at affluent Indian buyers.

Tesla Colours With A Cost

Tesla’s India rollout includes six colour choices, but only Stealth Grey comes standard. Want to go flashier? Be prepared to shell out more:

• Pearl White Multi-Coat, Diamond Black: Rs 95,000 extra
• Glacier Blue: Rs 1.25 lakh extra
• Quicksilver, Ultra Red: Rs 1.85 lakh extra

While Tesla has finally arrived, the double-price dilemma makes one thing clear: owning a Tesla in India, at least for now, is more about aspiration than accessibility.