Elon Musk explains why Tesla isn’t in India yet

• After tweeting a global map of the Tesla Superchargers, Elon Musk received queries about why Tesla isn’t present in India yet.
• Musk responded stating that the delay is due to the Indian government’s ‘challenging’ regulations.
  
• Local automobile manufacturers have also asked for clarity on the policy regarding electric vehicles in India.

In a recent Twitter storm, the global map of Tesla Superchargers tweeted by Elon Musk received an onslaught of queries regarding why there weren’t any Teslas in India. The map shows locations in the US, Mexico, Australia and even China, but none within the subcontinent.

It was a particular “No Tesla in India” tweet that caught Musk’s attention. Apparently Tesla would ‘love’ to be present in India, but it’s the country’s ‘challenging’ government regulations that are keeping the company at bay.

He even substantiates his statement adding that the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Deepak Ahuja, who’s from India himself, is looking into the matter.

Not the first time

Elon Musk had plans of bringing Tesla to India by the summer of 2017. Since then, sources initially reported that Tesla had to back out from India because the country wasn’t a ‘viable market’. Later it was clarified by Musk himself, that it was the ‘Make In India’ policies that were keeping the company from making headway.


However, the government was quick to respond and schooled him on how foreign direct investment (FDI) in the auto industry works in India.

Various automakers have asked for clarity regarding government norms when it comes to electric vehicles in India. Looking at the last two years, the government initially said that it’s planning for 100% electric vehicles in public transport and 40% in personal mobility by 2030. But earlier this year, their stance flipped to formulating a policy for electric vehicles that isn’t constrained by rules and regulations.

The Centre’s uncertain back and forth may have an adverse effect on the adoption of electrical vehicles. On the other hand, state governments have their vision sorted with clear policies already in place.

Electric vehicles may not be the answer for India

It was only yesterday that the International Energy Agency published their report claiming that electric vehicles may actually cause more harm than good in countries like China and India. The life-cycle of emissions is as such that these countries have a carbon-intensive power generation mix.

As of now, 85% of India’s installed capacity is dependent on energy derived from coal. That essentially means, that even if cars switch to electricity instead of petrol, they’ll still be burning carbon, just at different stages of the life-cycle.