Tesla has created a lot of buzz in the news, especially with its entry into India, and aided by the reduction of import taxes. Tesla is hot in search of property for its factory and hunting heads to set up a full-scale operation in India. The most-anticipated car from the US EV maker will be the Model 3, however, the big question is how much would it cost in India and what will be its closest competition.
Tesla Model 3 — Pricing in India
There has been a lot of debate about if the cars would be made in India or if will they be imported. Previously, Tesla was asked to build cars in India if they wanted in on one of the world’s largest automotive markets. After hiring a few people and letting them go, Tesla is now back to its original plans and looking at the direct import route.
Now, the Tesla Model 3 costs $29,990 (Rs 25.99 lakh) in the US. If the company were to bring it to India, it would cost Rs 29.79 lakh — if import duties were to be calculated at 15 percent – and that would be the approximate ex-showroom price. Now add taxes, and that number will quickly rise to around Rs 40 lakh, putting it close to the BYD Seal, which costs Rs 43 lakh on-road.
Tesla Model 3 — Competition in India
That said, the Tesla Model 3 when brought to India will pit against one of arch rival, the BYD Seal. BYD is the largest EV seller in the world and the Seal – base variant – comes with a 61.44 kWh battery pack that offers a claimed range of 510km. Now the Tesla Model 3 base variant gets a 57.5 kWh battery pack with a claimed range of 584km.
When compared, the Tesla Model 3 accelerates quicker from 0–100kmph: 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 201kmph while the BYD Seal accelerates from 0–100kmph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed is 180kmph. The Tesla Model 3 makes sense, doesn’t it? However, the biggest catch will be the distributor network in India, and Tesla shouldn’t go wrong with it.