Tesla’s whole ecosystem will be seen across Maharashtra & India: Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday opened Tesla’s India showroom in Mumbai’s BKC. While speaking to the media, Fadnavis said that Tesla’s whole ecosystem will be seen in India and across Maharashtra in the coming days.

“After several years of waiting, Tesla has launched its first car in India. Tesla has opened its experience centre in Mumbai. It is setting up four big charging stations in Mumbai. With this, charging infrastructure will get a big boost,” the Maharashtra CM said.

Tesla launched its most popular car, the Model Y, at ₹59.89 lakh (ex-showroom) in India.

“I am happy that Tesla chose Mumbai because in EVs Maharashtra has become a leader. Our charging infrastructure policies and incentives on manufacturing are attracting global players,” said Fadnavis.

To be clear, Tesla has yet to decide on setting up a manufacturing plant in India.

On Tesla’s 'Make in India' plans, Fadnavis said, “When Tesla decides to start making cars in India, we will make sure that Maharashtra is their preferred destination.”

“At the very outset, I would like to welcome Tesla to India. This is not just an inauguration of an experience centre, but it is a statement that Tesla has arrived, a statement that Tesla has arrived in the right city and the right state. That is the state of Maharashtra and the city of Mumbai, the entrepreneur capital of India and not just financial and entertainment capital,” Fadnavis said.

“Tesla is not just a car company. It is all about design, innovation and sustainability for which Tesla stands as a testament. I think that is one and only reason why it is loved globally. In 2015, when I went to the US, I had my first ride in Tesla. Then, I thought that we require such vehicles for mobility in India. It took them 10 years to come to India. And, I am sure that people of Mumbai and India are going to love Tesla,” the Maharashtra CM said.

Maharashtra has a robust market for electric mobility, said Fadnavis. “We are a hub for EV manufacturing. But I think Tesla is going to change the entire market. We have very good policies towards creating charging infrastructure, promoting EVs and also the best incentives towards manufacturing EVs. I think it’s a good start and eventually in future, we wish to see all the R&D and manufacturing being done in India. I am sure that at an appropriate stage, Tesla will think about that. But today we are very happy that you are starting this journey from Mumbai,” he said.