Tesla Model Y LUS electric vehicle maker Tesla has launched a new six-seater version of its best-selling Model Y in India, expanding its limited product portfolio in the country after a relatively subdued market entry last year.
The new variant, named Model Y L, comes with an extended wheelbase and has been priced at ₹61,99,000 (ex-shpwroom), as per Tesla’s India website. The model is positioned between Tesla’s higher-end variant and its more affordable offering.
Tesla entered India in July last year with the imported Model Y, but high pricing has kept the brand confined to a niche market. India imposes a steep 100 per cent import duty on fully built vehicles, making Tesla models significantly costlier than in global markets.
At present, the Model Y rear-wheel-drive version is priced at around ₹60 lakh, while the long-range rear-wheel-drive variant costs ₹68 lakh. These prices place Tesla well above the mass market, as the majority of passenger vehicles sold in India are priced below $22,000.
Despite the premium pricing, Tesla has previously highlighted the potential cost advantage of EV ownership. Tesla India head Sharad Agarwal had earlier told Reuters that lower running costs, including maintenance and fuel savings, could help buyers recover nearly one-third of the vehicle’s purchase cost over four to five years.
Interestingly, the Model Y L is yet to be launched in the United States. Tesla had introduced the version in China last year, where it starts at 339,000 yuan ($49,687.80).
The latest launch signals Tesla’s intent to widen its offering in India, even as the company continues to navigate pricing challenges linked to import duties and the absence of local manufacturing.
