Mumbai: Weeks after opening its first store in Mumbai, Tesla has announced the launch of its first charging station at BandraKurla Complex (BKC) in Maharashtra.
Tesla formally entered the Indian market with the opening of its first store at the Maker Maxity Mall in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex on June 15.
Tesla is expected to test the Indian market and establish a foundation for its premium electric cars in one of the world's fastest developing automobile markets with the opening of its first showroom in Mumbai.
According to Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H. D. Kumaraswamy, Tesla was not interested in establishing factories in India but rather in opening showrooms here.
Earlier, there were rumors that Tesla was considering importing Tesla automobiles into India and then selling them through showrooms in India. However, Tesla has remained tightlipped about its Indian operations.
Earlier this year, Tesla Inc. formally started recruiting in India, indicating a big step toward the company's long-anticipated entry into the country market. While Tesla has not announced an official timeline for its India introduction, active recruitment indicates that preparations are well underway.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously expressed an interest in investing in India, but onerous import tax restrictions were a point of concern.
Tesla's desire to join India grew after the government unveiled its new EV policy, which significantly reduced import tariffs and offered several bonuses to entice global EV carmakers.
In April of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone with Tesla CEO Elon Musk about the tremendous opportunity for cooperation in technology and innovation. PM Modi had also visited Musk in the United States this February.
