The Indian government had ambitious plans of selling 6-7 million electric cars in India by 2020 under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan. Seems like this could switch to reality rather than just a plan with the worlds most successful electric car manufacturer Tesla planning to enter the Indian marketplace in the near future.
Tesla Motors is planning to enter India with a brand new sedan which will be priced half of what the current product portfolio is priced at. And even though the high import duties in India remain a big hurdle, the company is sure about the potential India has for these electric cars. Tesla is now working on a new 4-door sedan dubbed as the Tesla Model 3 which is targeted at emerging markets such as India.
Tesla has set a target price of $30,000 – $40,000 which equals to Rs. 18 – 24 lakh. This will slot the Model 3 straight in the luxury car segment here in India. Tesla Motors is hopeful of the Indian government providing subsidies on electric cars which could help boost sales.
Tesla also looks as India as a potential market in Asia to get a local assembly plant. Another reason for this is the import duties in India which are in excess of 100%. The company is looking at initiating conversation with government officials about the future of Tesla electric cars in India and to rationalise the high import duty on electric cars.
Source – Economic TimesImages used of the Tesla Model S for reference