Paytm Founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma has taken delivery of his first Tesla electric car, marking a personal milestone. A recent image shared online shows Sharma receiving his brand-new Tesla Model Y, adding to the growing list of Indian Tesla owners. Before him, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and cricketer Rohit Sharma had already taken delivery of their Model Ys. The development highlights Tesla's rising presence in India and its appeal among high-profile personalities.
Back in 2016, Tesla Inc. began accepting reservations for its compact electric sedan, the Model 3, in India. The booking amount was set at USD 1,000, roughly Rs 70,000 at the time. Among the first to reserve was Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, joined by venture capitalist Mahesh Murthy, GOQii founder Vishal Gondal, and Voonik co-founder Sujayath Ali. However, Tesla later deferred the Model 3's India launch indefinitely, leaving early adopters disappointed. Eventually, the company refunded booking amounts to those who cancelled after the long wait.
Years later, Tesla shifted focus and introduced the Model Y SUV instead of the Model 3. The latest generation of the Model Y is currently imported from China as a completely built unit. Tesla has already opened its first dealership in Mumbai, followed by one in Delhi, with another planned for Gurugram, signaling a fresh chapter for the brand's India journey.
Tesla Model Y
After the Tesla Model Y debuted in India, the very first unit was purchased by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. At the delivery event, Sarnaik revealed that the luxury electric SUV was bought for his grandson. The chosen shade, Pearl White Multi-Coat, comes at an additional cost of Rs 95,000, adding a premium touch to the vehicle. This milestone highlights Tesla's growing appeal in India, with high-profile buyers leading the way in embracing the brand's electric offerings.
In India, the manufacturer has launched the RWD (rear-wheel drive) and long-range RWD versions of the vehicle in India. The starting price for the RWD variant is Rs 59.89 lakh, whereas the long-range model is priced at Rs 67.89 lakh. This results in the on-road cost of the RWD version being Rs 61.07 lakh. On the other hand, the long-range variant's on-road price is Rs 69.15 lakh.
The Tesla Model Y's rear-wheel drive version offers the choice of both a 60 kWh and a larger 75 kWh battery pack in India. The RWD variant is equipped with a single electric motor that generates approximately 295 hp. Furthermore, the 60 kWh battery claims to provide a WLTP range of 500 km on a single charge, while the long-range version asserts a range of 622 km.