The first Tesla Model Y car reached India on Friday before being driven off by Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik. The Shiv Sena leader hailed the handover as a “new milestone towards green mobility” in India — revealing that the electric vehicle would be a gift for his grandson. Meanwhile the Opposition Congress took a swipe at the politician for purchasing an ‘American’ vehicle while Prime Minister Narendra Modi had issued a call for swadeshi.
Sarnaik had purchased the vehicle mere hours after Tesla opened its first showroom in Mumbai earlier this year. The transport minister noted that Maharashtra had set a goal of ushering in a major EV transition in the next decade — aligned with the clean mobility vision outlined by the Prime Minister.
“As the transport minister of Maharashtra, I feel fortunate and happy to have received the first Y model Tesla car in India, which is environment-friendly. As a representative of the state government, it has always been our mission to put as many EV cars on the road as possible. We have given toll concessions to EV cars and extended as many facilities as possible. It will bring a revolution in the state. I have not taken any discount while buying the car and paid the full amount. I’m going to gift this car to my grandson,” reports quoted him as saying.
‘New milestone towards green mobility’
“A new milestone towards green mobility – proud to welcome Tesla home!” he wrote on X while sharing photos of the vehicle.
Sarnaik paid anywhere between Rs 59.89 lakh and Rs 67.89 lakh (ex-showroom) for the vehicle. It was not immediately clear whether he had bought the Standard Rear-Wheel Drive or the Long Range RWD variant of Tesla Model Y. The on-road cost for the vehicle would also include GST, registration, insurance, and road tax charges.
Opposition slams purchase
The Opposition Congress lashed out at the Shiv Sena minister and the ruling BJP — contending that the purchase went against the swadeshi appeal shared by PM Modi.