India's First Tesla Supercharger in Mumbai Goes Live From Inside An Office Complex

Weeks after making its entry in India with its initial Experience Centre in Mumbai, Tesla has now launched its first charging station in the country at One BKC, Bandra-Kurla Complex (P1 level). The centre houses a mix of four high-speed Superchargers and four AC Destination chargers, marking the official launch of Tesla's own EV charging network in India.

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For the uninitiated, Tesla has already launched the Model Y in India, its first product in the country, at ₹59.89 lakh for the RWD version and ₹67.89 lakh (both prices ex-showroom, India) for the RWD long-range version. We have also driven the Tesla Model Y in India. You can read the review here and watch the full review on our YouTube channel or via the link below.

But although the arrival of the brand is considered a step in the right direction for India's EV ecosystem, the location, price, and exclusivity raise relevant questions over early consumer affordability, simplicity of use, and the wider EV charging infrastructure.

What's available at the One BKC Charging Location?

Tesla's BKC location is equipped with:

• 4 V4 Superchargers (DC fast chargers) with a rating of 250 kW
• 4 Destination AC chargers with a rating of 11 kW
• Charging fee: ₹24 per kWh for DC, ₹14 per kWh for AC
• Presently available for Tesla cars only

Housed within the basement of One BKC, a high-end commercial building, the chargers are not on open ground, as with Tesla Supercharger locations in most countries. Rather, patrons must drive into a secure office building basement, potentially having to go through building security and deal with restricted access hours.

Limited Accessibility

Whereas Tesla's image worldwide relies on the ease of use of its quick-charging network, frequently positioned alongside highways, open car parks, and shopping malls, the One BKC arrangement disrupts that trend in India.

Here's why this might be difficult:

• Entry may involve permissions or an ID to access the commercial tower
• Hours of operation might not be 24/7, as in conventional fuel pumps
• No drive-in setup, owners need to locate and reach the designated basement level
• Traffic and congestion in BKC may make regular access complicated

For the time being, this implies Tesla buyers cannot look forward to the same easy "pull up and charge" experience enjoyed in the U.S., Europe, or China, at least not in this initial stage.

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Exclusivity for Now, No Cross-Brand Charging

Even though Tesla has made its Supercharger network available to other EV manufacturers in Europe and the United States, Indian chargers so far are exclusive to Tesla cars. There is some talk of interoperability plans in the future, but no schedule has been announced.

This move restricts the near-term usage of the charging station, particularly in a market where Tesla deliveries are yet to start and the EV segment is controlled by players such as Tata, Mahindra, BYD, Hyundai, and MG.

What's Coming Next? Tesla's Expansion Plan

Tesla has announced that it will roll out three additional charging stations by the end of Q2 FY2025 in:

• Lower Parel
• Thane
• Navi Mumbai

All four spots should go live once deliveries of the Model Y begin, though formal dates were not announced. As with the BKC spot, these will likely be installed in congested city areas instead of highway corridors or fuel-station-style single-unit installations, at least initially.

Also Read: Tesla’s First Supercharger Location to Open in Mumbai on Aug 4: Check Costs Here

Pricing: How Does Tesla Compare in India?

At ₹24/kWh for fast charging and ₹14/kWh for AC charging, here's Tesla's pricing:

• On the higher side compared to Tata Power's rates, which vary between ₹18–22/kWh across cities
• Tremendously lower than some highway fast-charging players, which have up to ₹28/kWh charges
• Able to match fuel cost per km, if the Model Y's claimed 500 km per full charge (~₹1,200) is attained

Nevertheless, since Tesla's supercharging rates are far higher, the value proposition is strong if future infrastructure is easier to access. 

Tesla's India Strategy: What This Means

The BKC charging station, coupled with the launch of the Mumbai Experience Centre last month, marks Tesla's strategy to establish brand equity first before scale. The strategy is premium, conservative, and selective, focusing on early adopters in the metros who are more likely to be able to buy both the car and the lifestyle adjustments needed to own it.

But it also suggests:

• Tesla will not attempt mass-market scale in India right away
• For the time being, charging will stay brand-exclusive, constraining wider EV ecosystem influence
• Early rollout will be determined by partnerships with property developers, rather than petrol station chains

Whether or not this slow-and-premium approach develops into something more comprehensive, encompassing intercity charging corridors, non-Tesla vehicle compatibility, or tier-2 city penetration, only time will tell.