High import duties and premium pricing kept the Model Y out of reach for most buyers
Tesla’s India debut has been modest at best. The American EV maker sold 225 units of its Model Y SUV in 2025, according to data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations.
The company opened its first showroom in July, so the data isn’t a full year of sales. But the numbers tell a clear story about the challenges Tesla faces here.
Monthly Breakdown
FADA data shows sales picked up gradually after launch. Tesla moved 64 units in September, dipped to 40 in October, sold 48 in November, and finished with 73 in December.
That December figure was the strongest month yet. Still, these are tiny numbers for a brand that dominates EV markets elsewhere.
Price Is the Problem
Tesla brings in the Model Y as a fully built import. That means steep customs duties push prices well above what buyers pay in the US or Europe.
The base rear-wheel-drive Model Y starts at Rs 59.89 lakh. The Long Range version costs Rs 67.89 lakh. At those prices, Tesla competes against luxury German sedans rather than mainstream EVs.
The standard variant offers a 500 km range and hits 100 kph in 5.9 seconds. The Long Range variant extends the range to 622 km and provides slightly quicker acceleration. Both top out at 201 kph.
Limited Footprint
Tesla runs experience centres in three cities — Gurugram, Mumbai, and Delhi. Charging infrastructure remains thin with just 12 Superchargers and 10 destination chargers across these locations.
Where India’s EV Market Actually Is
While Tesla struggles at the premium end, India’s broader EV market grew steadily in 2025. Electric vehicles accounted for 8% of all new registrations, with total sales reaching 2.3 million units.
Electric two-wheelers led the way, accounting for 57% of all EV sales with 1.28 million units. Three-wheelers added another 800,000 units. Four-wheeler EVs total 1.75 lakh, mostly driven by small commercial vehicles.
Tesla’s 225 cars barely register in that mix.
