Tesla's India Journey Faces Reality Check: Orders Fall Short of Expectations

Tesla's much-anticipated entry into the Indian automotive market has encountered a lukewarm response, with the electric vehicle manufacturer receiving only around 600 orders since launching in mid-July 2025, according to multiple industry reports. This figure falls significantly below Tesla's internal expectations and represents roughly the number of vehicles the company delivers globally every four hours. The first batch of Tesla Model Y SUVs, manufactured at the Shanghai Gigafactory, is expected to arrive in early September, with deliveries initially restricted to Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Gurugram. 

Also Read: Tesla Model Y Review

Premium Pricing Strategy Faces Indian Market Reality

Tesla launched the Model Y in India with pricing starting at ₹59.89 lakh for the Rear Wheel Drive variant and ₹67.89 lakh for the Long Range variant. These prices reflect India's steep import duties of approximately 70% on electric vehicles, making the Model Y nearly double its US pricing of $44,990. 

The pricing strategy positions Tesla in direct competition with established luxury electric vehicles in India, including the Mercedes-Benz EQB (₹72.20 lakh), BMW iX1 (₹66.90 lakh), Kia EV6 (₹60.95 lakh), and Hyundai Ioniq 5. This premium segment represents a challenging market, with JATO data indicating only 2,800 electric cars priced above ₹40.5 lakh were sold in India during the first half of 2025. 

Global Sales Challenges Mirror India's Slow Uptake

Tesla's India struggles come amid broader global sales challenges. The company reported a 13% decline in worldwide deliveries for Q2 2025, with 384,122 vehicles delivered compared to 443,956 in the same period last year. Tesla's revenue fell 12% year-over-year to $22.5 billion in Q2 2025, while operating income dropped 42% to $923 million. 

In Europe, Tesla's sales declined by over 33% year-on-year in the January-July 2025 period. Key European markets showed significant drops: France (-47.3%), Sweden (-84%), Denmark (-42%), and Netherlands (-50%) in August 2025 alone. Only Norway (+21.3%) and Spain (+161%) showed growth, though Chinese competitor BYD outperformed Tesla substantially in both markets. 

India's Electric Vehicle Landscape and Tesla's Position

India's electric vehicle market, valued at approximately ₹19,700 crores ($2.36 billion) in 2024, is projected to reach ₹1,37,000 crores ($16.44 billion) by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 57.23%. However, electric vehicles currently account for only 4% of India's total automotive sales. 

The market is dominated by two-wheelers and affordable segments, with companies like Tata Motors (42% EV market share) leading through value-oriented offerings. Tesla's premium positioning contrasts sharply with successful Indian EV models like the Mahindra XUV400 (₹15-20 lakh), MG ZS EV (₹24-28 lakh), and Tata Nexon EV (₹12.49-17.19 lakh). 

Infrastructure and Market Challenges

Tesla faces unique challenges in the Indian market beyond pricing. Infrastructure limitations include inadequate charging networks, poor road conditions with potholes, traffic discipline issues, and the presence of stray animals on highways, even in urban areas. These factors complicate EV adoption, particularly for premium vehicles designed for different market conditions. 

The company has committed to establishing charging infrastructure in key cities, with plans for four charging stations each in Mumbai and Delhi, including Supercharger and destination chargers. However, this represents a limited network compared to the scale required for mass adoption. 

Strategic Implications and Future Outlook

Tesla's India performance reflects broader challenges in international expansion amid declining growth in core markets. The company generates nearly 50% of revenue from the US and over 20% from China, making new market penetration crucial for sustaining growth. 

The company's strategy appears to focus on testing market reception through limited imports before considering substantial local investments. However, with India's 70% import duty on electric vehicles and no immediate prospects for tariff reduction following deteriorating US-India trade relations, Tesla faces sustained pricing pressures.