Tesla launched on Tuesday its Model Y at about $70,000 in India, a significant markup relative to its other major markets, reflecting the country's high tariffs on electric vehicle imports which CEO Elon Musk has long-criticised.

He also mentioned that Indians have been paying absurd taxes all along and asked people to check their car invoices once again.

With its sales cratering in the West, the electric vehicle giant is making a high-stakes pivot to the world's third-largest auto market.

Tesla’s long-awaited India debut comes as the government considers lowering EV import duties in a U.S. trade deal.

Tesla has officially arrived in India with the launch of its best-selling electric crossover, the Model Y. Available in two rear-wheel-drive (RWD) versions, Standard and Long-Range, the EV starts at ₹59.89 lakh (ex-showroom), with bookings now open in select metro cities.

Tesla opened its first showroom in Mumbai, with Maharashtra Deputy CM taking a test ride. Bookings for the Model Y SUV are now open, and deliveries may start next month. The state aims to attract further investments in the EV sector.

BYD undercuts Tesla quite significantly. The Sealion 7 Premium variant is priced at ₹ 48.90 lakh, while the high-performance AWD version costs ₹ 54.90 lakh (both ex-showroom). BYD’s aggressive pricing strategy makes the Sealion 7 a compelling alternative for those seeking a feature-rich and high-performance EV without crossing the ₹ 60 lakh mark.