When it comes to cars being produced in mass volume, there's a constant tussle between Volkswagen and Toyota to clinch the top spot. And yet, electric carmaker Tesla Motors comes out on top as the world's most valuable car company. What is most astonishing is that even though the electric car company sold a mere half a million units annually against Toyota and VW's count of over 10 million units each, the American firm is somehow valued at more than eight times its peers! And this year, India prepares to welcome this revolutionary company to our shores. Buckle in!

Let me make this clear at the start – Tesla Inc isn't just a car company. It is a technology company that deals in products powered by sustainable or cleaner resources. In layman terms, it translates to a firm that produces electric vehicles, solar panels, solar generators and even its own batteries.

Founded in 2003, the company initially set out to make electric cars that are ‘better, quicker and more fun to drive than gasoline cars’. Fast forward to 2021, the company has managed to stand up to a number of their promises. Though what does that entail for us Indians? Let's break it down.

Cars to enter India

The variety in the company's line-up is extraordinary. From sports cars to cargo-hauling semi-trucks, the American carmaker sells it all. However, the most likely products to arrive on our Indian shores are initially the affordable offerings. Starting with the Model 3, Tesla's most affordable car.

The Model 3 squares up to almost the same size as the Skoda Octavia premium sedan in dimensions. However, Tesla cars have no grille, nor do they have an engine which means the boot and the bonnet can be used for storage. And while it may look like a regular sedan, it goes nothing like it. 0-100 kmph takes just about 5 seconds, and that gets reduced to around 3.3 seconds (supercar territory) if you get the top-of-the-line Performance trim. EVs available in India such as the Tata Nexon EV or the MG ZS EV also offer instant acceleration, but none are as rapid as Teslas. Even the 423 km range on the base variant Teslas is superior to what homegrown manufacturers (312 km by Nexon EV) are currently offering. Long Range Tesla variants provide as much as 568 km on a single charge.

Variants and Prices
Tesla offers the Model 3 in three variants in the US, and the same is expected to trickle down here. The base trim is called Standard Plus ($37,990 / `27.66 lakh), then there's a mid-spec Long Range variant ($46,990 / `34.21 lakh) and the top-spec Performance trim ($54,990 / `40.03 lakh). While those seem like attractive numbers, Indians will have to shell out close to double the amount.

Reason? Tesla will initially import cars as Completely Built Units (CBUs), resulting in the tariffs to bear the full brunt of excise duties, ultimately making the price tag heavier. And not to forget, the Model 3 is the cheapest offering. Potential forthcoming products such as Model Y crossover ($41,990 / `30.5 lakh), the Model S sedan ($79,990 / `58.24 lakh) and the Model X SUV ($89,990 / `65.52 lakh) will only be more expensive to own unless Tesla commences local manufacturing.

Primarily a technology company, Tesla has always been big on software. However, it is the hardware design that might surprise or even disappoint a few. The dashboard is one big slab of nothingness. Practically everything is controlled via the giant iPad-like screen in the centre. And as the windshield extends to a panoramic glass roof, Indians won't be deprived of an impressive airy cabin. The same can be said for space as the rear bench gets a flat floor due to the absence of a transmission tunnel. Most Indians might enjoy a novelty cabin such as in Teslas. On the flip side, the all-electric car company might have to increase its model ride height, considering the battery pack resides on the car floor, and India's steep speed breakers might constantly scrape through the underbelly, hence damaging the batteries and the car.

Futuristic Technology
Tesla rose to fame because of its clean energy propulsion and autopilot systems. And it's the latter that'll intrigue most Indians. Drivers in developed countries have been utilising Tesla's Autopilot feature, which drives the vehicle by itself without the driver having to touch the accelerator or steering wheel. Doubts arise if the same can be replicated on Indian soil, thanks to unmarked roads, impulsive jaywalking, un-cautioned stops by public transport and so on. It won't be surprising if our roads and driving behaviour inflicts a panic attack on Tesla.

Interestingly, whether the Elon Musk-led automaker will equip all its self-driving systems to India-bound units or not, remains to be seen.
Fortunately, the incredible technology isn't limited to the self-driving feature. The massive central screen hides a plethora of features for occupants to play with. For instance, online streaming services such as Netflix and Youtube can be accessed on the infotainment unit, provided the car is stationary. Kids can even play arcade games on it where racing titles deploy the car's steering wheel as the primary controller. Want to go old-school? The infotainment unit can double up as a massive notepad too, for the occasional Pictionary or tic-tac-toe wars.

Additionally, when it comes to features, Tesla cars closely resemble Apple smartphones. You get a plethora of personalisation options on a relatively clean and organised digital layout. One can customise the horn to whatever music they like. Even the car's graphic depiction on the central command screen can be personalised to resemble James Bond's Lotus Esprit, that too with a Mars backdrop. Remote door close renders slamming the doors closed by hand as a thing of the past. And taking out a Tesla from a tight parallel parking space doesn't require you to be in the car at all. Just stand outside, press forward or backwards on the smartphone app, and the car will move in or out accordingly. Plus, did I mention the celebration mode, where the car flashes its lights, swings its doors and plays a tune to commemorate your smallest achievements? Midnight roadside birthday celebrations seem sorted.

Necessary Infrastructure
One of the major reasons why Tesla could surpass other traditional car companies in valuation is due to its method of packaged offering. Unlike other manufacturers, Tesla doesn't provide you with just a car, but also a massive network of charging infrastructure with it. With 20,000+ superchargers and 4,500+ destination chargers (at hotels or restaurants) around the globe already, the firm aims to make charging stations as accessible as fuel. And as the chargers are homogenous, the car's onboard computers can analyse the vehicle's current charge levels and incorporate the nearest charging point, blending charging station and time taken there within your navigational route in a seamless manner.

The cause for concern here is that none of those extensive charging networks involves India. But as Tesla plans to set up shop in the subcontinent, expect to see multiple supercharger stations arrive here too. And when they do, Indians would love it as these superchargers can add about 312 km of range in less than 20 minutes as opposed to an hour-long wait by our country's usual fast chargers while still not providing over 250 km of range.

Think about the amazing Tesla Lounge concept. A host of superchargers stationed at one spot accompanied by a roadside lounge is a concept that is gradually cropping up around the Tesla-operated global markets. The idea behind this is to allow you to rest on the couches, sip some coffee, fidget with PlayStation, purchase some Tesla merchandise or just finish typing out your work email in the air-conditioned lounge while your Tesla charges up in the parking lot. These lounges are restricted to Tesla owners only, and that kind of brand exclusivity will certainly startle the Indian audience. Expect to see at least a couple of these in the country in the next two decades. After all, which other manufacturer provides you with a charge-enabled air-conditioned rest stop!

Effect on Indian auto industry
The example of the MG Hector and the Kia Seltos is a testament to how products define brands in our country. Even though both carmakers were new entrants, they shook the Indian market with record-high bookings by catering to the trending demands and needs. Likewise, even Tesla caters to the global trend of EVs. So much so that it is the definitive EV on the global automotive market. With such a highly accredited brand perception, Tesla's arrival will positively influence the idea of electric vehicles, which consequently might trigger a bump in EV sales as not all will be able to afford a Tesla in the initial years at least.

Additionally, when Tesla commences operations in India, manufacturers will be forced to offer a much better range with added instant acceleration. In-car entertainment will also have to be given some added thought as Tesla's selection of arcade games, streaming services are no match to the current offerings. But most importantly, if and when Tesla brings its supercharger network to India, carmakers will have no option but to ramp up their charging network too. And that will ultimately result in India's charging infrastructure to gain a massive boost.

The India Connection

"Tesla selects Karnataka as its manufacturing hub after months of holding talks with multiple Indian states and even engaging in tweet exchanges on social media platforms with some. The Elon Musk-led firm has zeroed in on the southern state of Karnataka for setting up its manufacturing facility, as stated in a Reuters report. Such an announcement comes on the back of the company registering itself with the state office as ‘Tesla Motors India and Energy Private Limited’ last month.

Additionally, it was being reported that Tesla plans to showcase multiple models to the Indian crowd. Only upon gauging the billion-strong population’s reaction will the technology company finalise on local manufacturing of the crowd favourite model and commence retail for the same. Hence, products such as the Model 3 sedan, Model S luxury sedan, Model Y crossover and Model X SUV shall be put on display with Model 3 having high chances of being preferred, courtesy of its lower price.

However, as initial units will be imported as CKD (Completely Knocked Down) or CBU (Completely Built-Up) units, they’ll carry the heavy excise duties which will almost double the Model 3’s retail price, devouring its affordable pricing advantage. The high price will thus, unintentionally put the entry-level sedan against fierce competitors such as the Mercedes EQC and the forthcoming Jaguar I-Pace, which are a segment above and carry acclaimed carmaker badges with them.
Showrooms at select metropolitan cities such as Mumbai and Bangalore are said to crop up initially. Tesla is in talks with Tata Power and Adani Electric to plan and install the charging facilities across the country. More details are said to follow as the brand readies its official launch in the country, later this year. "

In essence, Tesla's arrival can act as a catalyst to the entire Indian EV conundrum. This should influence carmakers to churn out more efficient and fun EVs and accelerate the sluggish charging network installations around the subcontinent.
About the author: Yash Agarwal believes cars are much more than mileage figures and smartphone connectivity. Being a journalism student, he self-educated himself on the motorcar's mechanical concepts and acquired the required real-world knowledge while reviewing them. Born and brought up in Kolkata, he wishes to present articles on cars that'll make people stand up and take notice.