“Tesla is here”: Fadnavis hails Mumbai debut as India’s electric moment

In what he called a “powerful statement,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the inauguration of Tesla’s first Experience Centre in India—located at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai. In a post on the social media platform X, Fadnavis framed the launch not just as a milestone for Tesla, but also as a validation of Maharashtra’s emergence as a national hub for electric mobility. “This is not just the inauguration of an Experience Centre; it’s a powerful statement—Tesla is here, and it’s chosen the right city and the right state: Mumbai, Maharashtra,” Fadnavis wrote.

The Chief Minister positioned Mumbai as more than just the financial capital of India—he called it the “entrepreneurial capital that stands for innovation and sustainability,” drawing a parallel between the city’s ethos and Tesla’s global brand identity. Recounting the experience of his first Tesla ride in the United States back in 2015, Fadnavis added, “I knew then that India needed this. It took time, but we are glad to see it finally here!”

The launch was also attended by Isabel Fan, Senior Regional Director at Tesla, who, according to Fadnavis, shared the company’s long-term vision for India and reiterated its focus on electric mobility and sustainable innovation. Minister Pratap Sarnaik and other dignitaries were also present at the event.

Fadnavis credited the Narendra Modi government’s industrial policies and e-mobility push as enabling frameworks for Tesla’s eventual entry. “Under the visionary leadership of Hon. PM Narendra Modi ji, India has charted an ambitious path towards sustainability and self-reliance,” he wrote, referencing initiatives like Make in India and the drive for clean transportation.

Tesla’s arrival, the CM suggested, is as much about optics as opportunity. Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra’s progressive stance on EVs, citing the state’s “robust charging infrastructure, forward-looking EV policies, and comprehensive support ecosystem” as the reasons why Tesla’s presence in Mumbai is strategically sound. “Maharashtra stands ready to be your most trusted partner and your home in India,” he said, expressing confidence that the state—and India more broadly—would become one of Tesla’s strongest markets in the coming years.

The Experience Centre in BKC marks the company’s first retail presence in the country, signalling the start of a phased rollout. While Tesla has not yet announced manufacturing plans in India, its entry comes after years of negotiation, tariff discussions, and policy back-and-forth.

The opening comes amid Tesla’s global efforts to expand its footprint in emerging EV markets, and India—with its rapidly growing auto sector, urbanisation, and sustainability push—offers significant untapped potential. Tesla’s entry has been in the works for several years, with numerous regulatory, logistical, and tariff-related hurdles along the way.

“Tesla’s entry into the Indian market does mark a milestone in the country’s electric mobility journey. While its initial impact may be more symbolic, it will undoubtedly elevate consumer awareness, spark greater interest in EVs and set new benchmarks in connected and autonomous mobility. This move will also encourage OEMs and ecosystem players to step up innovation and accelerate investments in EV infrastructure and technology," said Vinay Raghunath, Partner, Automotive and Mobility Sector Leader, EY India.

Maharashtra, meanwhile, has emerged as a key state in India’s EV playbook. With proactive policies, a strengthening charging network, and EV-focused industrial incentives, the state has positioned itself as a natural partner for global players.

For the uninitiated, Tesla has yet to announce a clear manufacturing or assembly strategy for the Indian market. However, HD Kumaraswamy, the Union Minister of Heavy Industries, stated in June that the company is not interested in manufacturing cars in India and is only looking to set up two showrooms. The second experience centre, according to reports, is expected to be housed either in the Avenue Mall in South Delhi or the DLF Cyber Hub in Gurugram. In December of last year, reports suggested that Tesla was in talks with real estate developer DLF to find an adequate location.