Tesla flags low maintenance and fuel costs to woo Indian buyers
Tesla is also gradually rolling out its supercharger network in India starting with Mumbai, Delhi and Gurugram [File] | Photo Credit: REUTERS Tesla’s low running costs, including maintenance and fuel, can help Indian buyers to recoup about one-third of the Model Y’s $67,000 price tag over four to five years, the company’s India head said on Wednesday. Tesla entered India in July with its imported Model Y, priced at a significant markup to its other major markets because of India’s 100% import tariff. Tesla is targeting a niche electric vehicle market in India that accounts for about 5% of overall sales in the world’s third-largest car market. Analysts estimate that the majority of cars sold in India are priced below $22,000. Since starting deliveries in September, Tesla has sold just over 100 Model Y’s in India, based on Indian government registration data. Tesla’s India General Manager Sharad Agarwal said if Indian customers considered the low cost of maintaining a Tesla and electricity versus petrol prices, they could save around $22,000 over four to five years. …