India might see partial presence of Tesla by 2020. This was stated by none other than Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk, who tweeted out this detail on Saturday.
While Musk didn’t reveal what aspect of Tesla could enter the country, it’s likely that the company wants to lay the platform for local production of battery modules, which will help it minimise the cost at which the consumer will be able to buy.
Tesla and Musk have regularly stated their intentions to enter the Indian market, but stringent government regulations have hampered its chances, just like what Apple has been facing.
The electric car maker has been looking to make inroads into one of the biggest markets in the world, but various issues have been stumbling blocks to its progress.
Musk clarified the current situation in a tweet a few months back, citing challenges with adhering to the Indian government’s regulations. He even added that along with his Chief Financial Officer, Deepak Ahuja from India, they are looking at the possibility of coming to India, as soon as he feels there will be takers for his products.
Tesla is setting up a gigafactory in China this year, after which Nitin Gadkari, Transport Minister pointed out that “India will welcome Tesla and ready to help them with land and all types of help.”
After initially claiming that Tesla will come to India this summer, in February 2017, not much has developed in this regard since then. As a car company, if it was to import and sell its cars here, it would have to charge very high prices – a Model S would cost upwards of Rs 1 crore in India. The Model 3, would also cost over Rs 60 lakh. This is where the local assembly pointed out by Musk will make the products affordable.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)