Tesla’s much-anticipated entry into India appears to be off to a slow start, with the electric vehicle maker delivering only 60 units of its Model Y in the first month of sales, according to government registration data. The figures suggest a subdued reception compared with both mass-market and premium EV competitors.
Data from India’s Vahan portal, cited by Autocar Professional, shows that Tesla’s September deliveries were significantly lower than those of BYD, which sold 541 EVs, and BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which registered 307 and 95 electric cars respectively. Unlike its rivals, Tesla currently offers only the imported Model Y—subject to steep customs duties that make it notably more expensive than in other markets.
See also: Tesla Delivers First Model Y in India After Years of Delays
Tesla began deliveries on September 5, roughly six weeks after its official launch. Bloomberg reported prior to the rollout that early demand had fallen short of internal expectations, with just over 600 orders in the first six weeks—roughly equivalent to what Tesla sells globally every four hours.
The company had initially planned to import up to 2,500 units under India’s GSR 870 (E) rule, which waives local homologation for limited volumes, but has reportedly cut that target to 350–500 units for the year.
See also: Tesla Opens First Supercharger Station in India
The Model Y, imported from China, is offered in Standard Range RWD and Long Range RWD variants priced at 5.989 million rupees (€57,700) and 6.789 million rupees (€65,400), respectively. By comparison, the same models cost €44,990 and €49,990 in Germany, where Tesla manufactures them locally.
With just two showrooms—in Mumbai and Delhi—and deliveries limited to four cities so far, the American automaker remains a niche player in India’s growing EV market.