American clean energy and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla Inc will begin operations in India in early 2021, according to media reports quoting Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari.
The automaker is expected to begin operations in India with sales and then upon its response, might consider setting up an assembling and manufacturing facility in the country.
The first model to be launched in India will be Tesla’s cheapest vehicle – Model 3, with prices starting at $74,739 (Rs5.5mn), as per media reports. The bookings for the same are likely to begin in January 2021.
Tesla Founder Elon Musk had hinted earlier on Twitter that he will be entering the Indian automobile market.
The Maharashtra Government had invited Tesla to set up a factory in the State in October after Musk suggested entering the country in 2021.
Although India has been pushing to decrease its dependence on fuel and pollution, the country is lagging on efforts to promote EVs due to few investments in production and infrastructure required for EVs.