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Tesla is fast-tracking its charging network in India, starting with Gurugram and expanding to Noida, Saket, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, ahead of its planned September deliveries

The imported Model Y starts at INR 59.89 Lakh due to tariffs exceeding 100%, placing it in direct competition with luxury EVs from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi

Tesla’s push comes as India’s EV passenger vehicle market hits 4.1% share and rivals like Vietnam’s VinFast commit billions to local manufacturing and dealership expansion.

Tesla is reportedly planning to expedite the roll out of its superchanging network in India with the company targeting to kick off its EV deliveries in September.

A PTI report said that the Elon Musk-owned company is planning to set up its supercharging stations across key Delhi NCR hubs, including Gurugram, Noida and Saket, starting with Gurugram in the coming weeks.

Tesla also aims to build new superchanging facilities in Mumbai’s Lower Parel, Navi Mumbai and Thane, adding to the existing Bandra Kurla Complex site, along with Bengaluru on the roadmap.

The company opened its first showroom in Delhi at Worldmark, Aerocity, near Indira Gandhi International Airport, on August 11. This was Tesla’s second retail location in India, following the launch of its Mumbai showroom in July. The Delhi showroom will also serve as an experience centre for customers in the region.

Notably, at its Mumbai launch, Tesla introduced the Model Y SUV in India at a starting price of INR 59.89 Lakh. The model is being imported as a completely built unit (CBU) from Tesla’s factory in Shanghai. The Model Y will compete with premium electric SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi in the Indian market.

Meanwhile, Tesla has leased a 33,000 sq ft retail and service space on Sohna Road, Gurugram, at INR 40 Lakh per month for a nine-year term. The facility will handle servicing, repairs, and customer support. The company also plans to offer mobile service, remote diagnostics, and open a Tesla Approved Collision Centre in India.

Tesla’s India Strategy: Pricey But Timely

Notably, Tesla’s India debut with the Model Y comes at a premium price, driven by import tariffs that can exceed 100%. The same model costs about $46K (about INR 40 Lakh) in the US, but India’s high duties have pushed it into the luxury EV bracket along with Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

This pricing positions Tesla squarely in the premium segment, limiting mass adoption but strengthening its appeal to affluent buyers. The launch also coincides with a rapidly expanding EV market in India, where electric passenger vehicles recently reached a 4.1% market share in May 2025, up from 2.6% a year earlier.

Tesla’s expansion comes as Vietnam-based EV maker VinFast, which is entering India’s EV charging space through its subsidiary, VinGreen, is also expanding its presence in India.

VinFast has committed up to $2 Bn in investment in Tamil Nadu, starting with $500 Mn in the first five years, and recently opened its first Indian manufacturing plant in Thoothukudi. The company plans to launch its VF6 and VF7 SUVs in India later in August.

The company recently opened its first dealership in Surat, Gujarat, and aims to expand to 35 dealerships across more than 27 cities by the end of 2025.