Buckle up, EV enthusiasts—Tesla's much-hyped India debut continues to hit speed bumps. As of December 3, 2025, fresh data from the government's Vahan portal reveals that the Elon Musk-led giant registered a mere 48 vehicles in November, bringing its total since deliveries kicked off in September to 157 units.
The Numbers Don't Lie: Vahan Breakdown
- November 2025: 48 registrations (all Model Y SUVs)
- Total since September: 157 units
- September: ~61-64
- October: ~40
- November: 48
For context, luxury rivals crushed it:
- BMW: 267 EV registrations in November alone
- Mercedes-Benz: 69 EVs
Tesla's premium pricing—starting at around ₹58.59 lakh ex-showroom due to high import duties—puts it head-to-head with established German brands that have deeper networks and brand loyalty in India.
| Brand | November 2025 EV Registrations | Total Since Tesla Launch (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 48 | 157 |
| BMW | 267 | N/A |
| Mercedes | 69 | N/A |
Source: Vahan portal data via multiple reports (NDTV, IndUS Business Journal, IANS)
Why the Tepid Response?
Tesla stormed into India with showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi, followed by its first full-fledged "Tesla Centre" in Gurugram (opened last week, complete with sales, service, deliveries, and V4 Superchargers). But factors like:
- Steep import tariffs inflating prices
- Limited charging infrastructure outside metros
- Intense competition in the luxury EV niche (only ~5% of India's car market)
...have kept sales in the slow lane. India's overall passenger EV segment is growing fast (over 150,000 units in the first 11 months of 2025), but it's dominated by affordable domestic players like Tata and Mahindra.
Tesla's India GM, Sharad Agarwal, is betting big on low ownership costs—claiming buyers could recoup up to ₹20 lakh over 4-5 years on fuel and maintenance savings—to turn the tide.
What's Next for Tesla in India?
The Gurugram hub is a step toward building a proper ecosystem, with more centres and chargers planned. Rumors swirl about local manufacturing to slash prices, but nothing official yet. For now, Tesla's focusing on metros (Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Pune prioritized) while expanding doorstep deliveries nationwide.
Is this just early-days blues, or a sign of tougher times ahead in a price-sensitive market? With global headwinds and rising Chinese competition, Tesla needs to charge up its strategy fast.
What do you think—will Tesla conquer India in 2026, or stay a niche player? Drop your thoughts below!
Data sourced from Vahan portal and reports from NDTV, IANS, and others. Registrations are a close proxy for sales in India.
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