Tesla to test waters in India with Model 3 launch before adding other electric cars

Elon Musk would be eager to unveil more Tesla’s electric cars in India but first will test the waters with its Model 3 launch in the country, which is slated next year.

If Tesla plans more electric cars in India, this step will reduce pollution and promote electric vehicles in India.

India’s Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who visited Tesla's factory near San Francisco during his US visit, said Tesla wants to see the response in India.

"They are positive on setting up a base in India but will only decide on it after their Model 3 car is launched. We have offered them (support) to make India their Asia manufacturing hub," Gadkari told ET.

Tesla's Model 3 is the cheapest offering at $35,000 (about Rs 23 lakh) and nearly 400,000 bookings were received since its March launch.
"We will provide them land near the port of their preference along with all necessary support. Rules on alternate fuel cars have already been clarified by us,” said Gadkari.

Tesla’s electric cars can run over 300 kilometres on a single charge.

India has already made plans to establish the necessary charging network for electric cars, which will first be established in the country's big cities.

Meanwhile, talking about India’s initiatives, Gadkari's ministry has approved the conversion of vehicles into hybrids through retrofitting to check high pollution levels.

His ministry will start certifying manufacturers of such kits and a list of authorised installers will be drawn up.

The government is already in the process of rolling out the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), which aims to get 6 million electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, on the road by 2020.