New Delhi: While talking at Raisina Dialogue 2021, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari urged the US electric carmaker Tesla to start making their electric vehicles in India. Gadkari said he has assured Tesla that the central govt. will help them to make an industrial cluster across the country.
During his address, Nitin Gadkari answered a lot of questions about India’s progress in electric mobility, EV battery manufacturing along with the new vehicle scrappage policy among others.
Talking about Tesla he said, “I had a video conference with Tesla management. And I suggested them that it is golden opportunity for them to start manufacturing here in India because, as far as auto components are concerned, Tesla is already taking a lot of components from the Indian manufacturers.”
Addressing ‘The Raisina Dialogue 2021’ organised by MEA https://t.co/M9JijY7uo3
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) April 15, 2021
Gadkari also assured Tesla they could develop its own vendors in the country to export vehicles across the globe. Gadkari suggested Tesla to begin its India operations soon, as there is a chance that other EV manufacturers in India start making cars matching Tesla’s standard.
“Day by day, the Indian product is also improving and within two years we will get the electric vehicles of Tesla’s standard in Indian market. So, in the interest of Tesla, I suggest that they start manufacturing as early as possible. It will be beneficial for them,” said Gadkari.
Tesla is yet to confirm whether they will start manufacturing their electric vehicles in India. Current plans of the world’s most valuable carmaker include only selling its vehicles in major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
Earlier this year, Tesla registered its Indian arm Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited with Registrar of Companies in Bangalore. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa also claimed recently that Tesla has confirmed it will set up its first Indian facility in the state. Once Tesla starts its manufacturing facility in India, it will be his second unit in Asia outside China. It will also be a big blow to other EV manufacturers in the country.
Tesla is likely to start its India business by the end of 2021 by introducing its most affordable sedan Model 3 in India. Tesla Model 3 is likely to be priced from ₹55 lakh onwards as it will be reportedly imported via the completely built unit (CBU) route.
