Tesla Inc. has officially launched the Tesla Model Y 2025 Long Range electric SUV in India, featuring a WLTP-rated range of up to 622 km and optional Advanced Autopilot capabilities. The launch, timed with India’s festive season, includes early-buyer incentives as part of Tesla’s first large-scale sales rollout in the country.
Tesla Model Y 2025 Long Range: Specifications and Market Position
The Long Range version of the Model Y is priced at ₹ 67.89 lakh (ex-showroom, India) and offers a claimed 622 km WLTP range on a single charge. The model will be imported as a completely built unit (CBU) until local manufacturing plans materialise, Tesla India confirmed in a statement.
The SUV delivers 0–100 km/h acceleration in 5.6 seconds, a top speed of 201 km/h, and fast-charging capability up to 250 kW DC, enabling approximately 260 km of range in 15 minutes under optimal conditions.
“India is a critical growth market for sustainable mobility,” said Vaibhav Taneja, Tesla’s Chief Financial Officer and the company’s India representative. “The Model Y Long Range is our first step in bringing Tesla’s global innovation to Indian consumers.”
Understanding Advanced Autopilot in the Indian Context
The Advanced Autopilot suite includes adaptive cruise control, automatic lane-keeping, and parking assist. However, features such as “Navigate on Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” remain inactive pending regulatory approval in India.
According to Tesla’s official documentation, all Model Y units ship with the Hardware 4 sensor suite—cameras and radar designed to support future autonomy updates via software activation.
“Tesla’s hardware-first approach means Indian buyers are getting vehicles equipped for the future, even if local laws currently limit automated driving,” said Dr. Rashmi Menon, an automotive technology researcher at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
Industry analysts warn, however, that “autonomy features may stay limited for several quarters due to India’s fragmented regulatory and road-infrastructure ecosystem.” (Reuters Automotive Report, October 2025).
Festive Offers and Early-Buyer Incentives
Tesla’s “Festive Offer for Early Buyers” includes:
- Refundable booking of ₹ 22,220, followed by a deposit of ₹ 3 lakh within seven days.
- Priority delivery slots in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
- Complimentary home-charging wall connector for the first 500 buyers.
- Optional accessory credit worth up to ₹ 75,000 towards Autopilot or performance upgrades.
Tesla began initial customer deliveries in late September 2025, confirming the milestone via an official social-media post. Buyers should confirm regional availability, delivery timelines, and written offer terms.
Charging Infrastructure and Ecosystem Challenges
At launch, Tesla’s Supercharger network in India remains limited to select metropolitan corridors—Delhi-NCR, Mumbai-Pune, and Bengaluru. The company has signed memoranda with several real-estate and retail developers to install charging points nationwide.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries stated that Tesla’s rollout “aligns with India’s 2030 EV ambitions” and that the government is exploring policy frameworks for EV imports that encourage eventual domestic assembly.
However, Tesla’s import-based pricing structure exposes it to India’s 60–100 per cent customs duty, keeping costs higher than rivals such as the Kia EV6 or BYD Seal.
“Until Tesla sets up a local plant, the Model Y will remain an aspirational rather than mainstream EV,” said Rohit Srivastava, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.
India’s EV Market: An Evolving Landscape
India’s EV sales crossed 110,000 units in Q3 2025, up 32 per cent year-on-year, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Although two-wheelers dominate the segment, the premium EV SUV category is expanding rapidly.
Tesla’s arrival intensifies competition among established automakers and new entrants:
- Kia EV6 (₹ 61–66 lakh)
- BMW iX1 (₹ 66 lakh)
- Volvo XC40 Recharge (₹ 57 lakh)
- BYD Seal Performance (₹ 55 lakh)
Unlike most competitors, Tesla imports its vehicles directly and sells online, bypassing traditional dealership networks. Industry experts say this strategy gives Tesla pricing control but limits local service reach.
Consumer Reactions and Expert Viewpoints
Early reservations indicate strong interest among affluent urban buyers, particularly tech-savvy professionals. “Tesla represents a status symbol and technological statement,” said Anita Kapur, EV buyer and entrepreneur in Gurugram. “The range and build quality matter more to me than the price tag.”
Automotive journalist Rajiv Singh, writing for Autocar India, notes that “Tesla’s pricing positions the Model Y against luxury SUVs, not mass EVs. But its software-driven architecture and over-the-air updates may justify the premium for buyers seeking long-term value.”
Still, analysts caution that service infrastructure, battery replacement costs, and insurance premiums could affect ownership experience in the near term.
Global Context and Tesla’s Broader Strategy
Globally, Tesla has maintained its position as the world’s largest EV maker by volume, though Chinese competitors such as BYD and NIO are closing the gap. The company’s India entry is seen as part of a broader push to diversify beyond China and the United States.
According to Reuters, Tesla is in talks with the Indian government to establish a local assembly facility within two years, potentially in Gujarat or Maharashtra. Such a plant could significantly reduce import duties and make future models more competitive.
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Outlook: Promise and Pragmatism
The Tesla Model Y 2025 Long Range and Advanced Autopilot package mark a symbolic start to Tesla’s India story—signaling technological ambition and market confidence. Yet India’s EV transition remains a work in progress, with policy clarity, infrastructure expansion, and pricing barriers still evolving.
For Indian consumers, the Model Y offers cutting-edge EV performance and software innovation, but practical value will depend on Tesla’s ability to localize support and sustain after-sales confidence over time.
As Tesla CEO Elon Musk remarked at a recent event, “India will be one of the largest electric mobility markets in the world — it’s a question of when, not if.”
