Tesla only keen on selling their cars in India, no further plans: Union minister HD Kumaraswamy

NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said that US electric vehicle major Tesla has so far shown interest only in opening a showroom in India, referring to the speculations of the company’s intent to setup a manufacturing unit in India.

“Tesla is only interested in opening a showroom till now. They want to sell their car in India. There is no further development about Tesla”, the Union Minister said while speaking on the sidelines of the launch of a portal that will enable foreign electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to submit their applications to manufacture EVs in India.

#WATCH | Delhi | Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel of India, HD Kumaraswamy says, “Tesla is only interested in opening a showroom till now. They want to sell their car in India. There is no further development about Tesla…” pic.twitter.com/hNjneJMaYt

— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2025

Launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), the scheme is expected to attract investments from global EV manufacturers and promote India as a manufacturing destination for e-vehicles. The scheme will also help put India on the global map for manufacturing of EVs, generate employment and achieve the goal of ‘Make in India’.

The approved applicants will be allowed to import Completely Built-in Units (CBUs) of e-4W with a minimum CIF value of $35,000 at reduced customs duty of 15 per cent for a period of five years from the Application Approval Date to encourage the global manufacturers to invest under the scheme.

Approved applicants would be required to make a minimum investment of Rs 4,150 crores in line with the provisions of the scheme. The scheme is strategically crafted to position India as a global hub for electric vehicle manufacturing.

With a minimum investment threshold of Rs 4,150 crore, it provides an enabling policy environment for leading global and domestic players to establish long-term manufacturing footprints in the country. According to the Ministry, the application portal would be open for applications from 10.30 am on June 24, 2025 and will remain open until 6 pm on October 21, 2025.

The ministry said that it has approved a forward-looking scheme to promote the domestic manufacture of passenger cars, with a special focus on electric vehicles (EVs). (ANI)