New Delhi: Tesla has opened its first dedicated centre in Gurugram, marking a renewed attempt to build momentum in India after a quiet start to its sales push. The new facility is the company’s largest hub in the country and will provide after-sales support along with access to its latest V4 Superchargers. The subsidiary, now led by Sharad Agarwal, continues to offer the Model Y through the CBU route. Agarwal’s focus is on addressing misconceptions around electric vehicles and strengthening customer engagement by building greater awareness of the brand.
Tesla India maintains that a third of the Model Y’s cost can be recovered within four to five years. The company highlights that the vehicle does not require on-location service and has no service intervals, a claim it says sets it apart from other EV makers. Instead of operating a dedicated service network, Tesla resolves most issues remotely by relying on the simplicity of the powertrain.
The company has also confirmed its plan to develop a supercharger network in India, starting with Delhi and Mumbai. It has identified tech parks, malls and commercial districts where its patented fast chargers, capable of delivering up to 250 kW and adding over 270 km of range in under 15 minutes, will be installed. These Superchargers remain exclusive to Tesla vehicles and are designed for straightforward use without depending on multiple apps or interfaces. This, the company believes, will offer a contrast to India’s existing public fast-charging experience, which many customers find cumbersome.
Tesla is further looking to introduce its Full Self-Driving software once regulatory approvals are secured. The system uses multiple on-board cameras to navigate urban environments in real time while requiring the driver to remain seated at all times. Although the technology has faced regulatory challenges globally, it has been approved in seven countries. Tesla India believes that unpredictable traffic behaviour, weak lane markings and infrastructure gaps will not hinder the software’s performance. All Model Y vehicles sold in India already come with FSD compatibility.
On market response, Tesla argues that residual value will not be a concern, citing examples from Hong Kong where its vehicles hold around 65 per cent of their initial value. The company attributes this to frequent over-the-air software updates that continue to refine the vehicle years after purchase. Despite strong online anticipation before its entry, Tesla did not witness a rapid sales surge, selling 40 vehicles in October 2025. Social media excitement did not immediately translate into high volumes. Nonetheless, Tesla says the response has been encouraging, with some customers returning to buy a second vehicle.
With the launch of its first dedicated centre and a focus on simplifying EV ownership, Tesla appears to be positioning itself for a steady, long-term presence in India’s evolving electric mobility landscape.
BI Bureau
