Exclusive: With Tesla push, India mulls import tax cut if EV makers build locally

In response to a proposal from Tesla, which is considering joining the domestic market, India is working on a new electric vehicle policy.

That would reduce import duties for manufacturers that commit to some local manufacturing, according to sources with direct knowledge.

According to two individuals, including a senior Indian government official, the strategy under consideration might allow automakers to import fully-built EVs into India.

At a reduced tax of as little as 15%, down from the current 100% that applies to cars that cost more than $40,000 and 70% for the remainder.

Tesla push India to mull an import tax

According to two individuals, including a senior Indian government official, the strategy under consideration might allow automakers to import fully-built EVs into India.

At a reduced tax of as little as 15%, down from the current 100% that applies to cars that cost more than $40,000 and 70% for the remainder.

For instance, the base price of Tesla’s best-selling Model Y in the US is $47,740 before tax credits. The official, who is aware of the matter.

Stated that there is an understanding with Tesla’s proposal and that the government is expressing interest.

If such a strategy is implement, the cost of import EVs, which local automakers have been keen to avoid, may be drastically reduce.

Beyond Tesla, it may also provide access to the third-largest auto market in the world, where EV sales are still less than 2% of all auto sales but are rising quickly.

According to a third source, Tesla may be able to sell all of its models.

In India rather than just the brand-new vehicle it plans to manufacture there because to the cheaper import duties. Other countries have encouraged EV manufacturing commitments by taking similar actions.

To entice Chinese players and Tesla, Indonesia, for instance, has offered to decrease import duties from 50% to zero for EV makers contemplating investments.

Requests for response from the Indian ministries of trade and finance as well as Tesla went unanswered.

According to two sources, the policy is still being thought through, and the final tax rate may alter. By attempting to have the 100% EV import tariff reduced in 2021, Tesla made its first attempt to enter the Indian market.

Tesla push India mulls import tax

As officials made clear that Tesla would need to first commit to local manufacture, last year’s negotiations between the business and the Indian government came to an end.

More recently, Tesla has expressed interest in establishing a local manufacturing and producing a new electric vehicle (EV) for the Indian market as well as export that costs roughly $24,000, or around 25% less than its current entry model.

“Several considerations”

Tesla now operates factories outside of the US in Shanghai, which is its largest facility globally, and in Berlin.

A new factory is being built in Mexico that will concentrate on a new mass-market EV platform that Musk claims will lower prices for consumers.

Rohan Patel, senior public policy and business development executive at Tesla, has recently had private meetings with high officials regarding plans for India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met with CEO Elon Musk in June, has been closely monitoring developments, according to Reuters.

According to one of the sources, Tesla informed Indian officials that a possible India factory may be fully operational by 2030.

The suggestion for a low import tax, conditional on a manufacturing commitment.

Presented by Tesla to appease both sides, the sources claimed. But, Indian officials have stated that there will be no special benefits for Tesla’s market entry.

Even yet, New Delhi would take its time examining the policy proposal because any reduction in the tax rate on imported EVs could upset local firms like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, who are making investments to produce electric vehicles domestically, and disrupt the market.

“Even if the government is eager to acquire Tesla, this will undergo a thorough review process. The effect on indigenous players is the reason behind it, according to the Indian official.

For instance, the base price of Tesla’s best-selling.

Model Y in the US is $47,740 before tax credits. The official, who is aware of the matter, stated that there is an understanding of Tesla’s proposal and that the government is expressing interest.

If such a strategy is implement, the cost of import EVs, which local automakers. Have been keen to avoid, may be drastically reduce.

Beyond Tesla, it may also provide access to the third-largest auto market in the world. Where EV sales are still less than 2% of all auto sales but are rising quickly.

According to a third source, Tesla may be able to sell all of its models in India rather than. Just the brand-new vehicle it plans to manufacture there because to the cheaper import duties. Other countries have encouraged EV manufacturing commitments by taking similar actions.

To entice Chinese players and Tesla, Indonesia, for instance. Has offered to decrease import duties from 50% to zero for EV makers contemplating investments.

Tesla push India mulls import tax

Requests for response from the Indian ministries of trade and finance as well as Tesla went unanswered.

According to two sources, the policy is still being thought through, and the final tax rate may alter. By attempting to have the 100% EV import tariff reduced in 2021. Tesla made its first attempt to enter the Indian market.

As officials made clear that Tesla would need to first commit to Tesla push India mulls import tax local manufacturing. Last year’s negotiations between the business and the Indian government came to an end.

More recently, Tesla has expressed interest in establishing a local manufacturing and producing. A new electric vehicle (EV) for the Indian market as well as export that costs roughly $24,000, or around 25% less than its current entry model.

“Several considerations”

Tesla now operates factories outside of the US in Shanghai, which is its largest facility globally, and in Berlin.

A new factory is being built in Mexico that will concentrate on a new mass-market EV platform that Musk claims lower prices for consumers.

Rohan Patel, senior public policy and business development executive at Tesla. Has recently had private meetings with high officials regarding plans for India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met with CEO Elon Musk in June, has been closely monitoring developments, according to Reuters.

According to one of the sources, Tesla informed Indian officials that a possible. India factory may be fully operational by 2030.

According to the sources, Tesla offered the suggestion of a low Tesla push India mulls import tax in exchange for a manufacturing commitment. But, Indian officials have stated that there will be no special benefits for Tesla’s market entry.

Even yet, New Delhi would take its time examining the policy proposal because any reduction. In the tax rate on imported EVs could upset local firms like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra. Which are making investments to produce electric vehicles domestically, and disrupt the market.

“Even if the government is eager to acquire Tesla, this will undergo a thorough review process. The effect on indigenous players is the reason behind it, according to the Indian official.