India’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape is set to have a milestone event, reports indicate that Tesla, the EV manufacturing behemoth, is on the cusp of establishing its maiden local manufacturing plant in Gujarat. The anticipated announcement is poised to take center stage during the prestigious Vibrant Gujarat Summit scheduled for January 2024, potentially graced by the presence of Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Sources suggest that Gujarat’s allure as an investment destination, owing to its favorable business environment and strategic positioning, has steered Tesla’s focus toward establishing its manufacturing foothold within the state’s borders. Multiple potential sites, including Sanand, Dholera, and Becharaji, have been proposed by the state government to accommodate Tesla’s ambitious manufacturing aspirations.
Tesla’s Gujarat Plant will be the global hub for the EV Maker
This move aligns seamlessly with Tesla’s dual aim of catering to domestic demand while harnessing its Indian base for international exports. Speculation about the Musk Car venture entry into India has circulated for some time, with ongoing discussions between the company and the Indian government centered around concessions and regulatory considerations.
Gujarat has long been a hub for strategic business ventures, boasting manufacturing units of renowned automakers like Maruti Suzuki. Reports indicate that probable locations for Tesla’s manufacturing hub could be within the precincts of Sanand, Becharaji, and Dholera, further solidifying Gujarat’s significance in the automotive sector.
Amidst discussions on concessions, it was recently reported that Tesla might be granted the opportunity to import fully-built cars at a reduced import duty of 15-20 percent, a substantial drop from the current 100 percent duty on such imports. However, this privilege is contingent upon EV Maker establishing a manufacturing presence in India, with the potential for duty benefits revocation should this condition remain unmet.
While there has been no official announcement from either Tesla or the state government, optimism runs high within Gujarat’s corridors of power. Gujarat Health Minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel, in a recent Cabinet briefing, expressed optimism about Elon Musk’s prospective investment in the state. Patel drew parallels between Gujarat’s ethos and the global premium EV maker’s overarching objectives, hinting at a symbiotic relationship in the making.
The impending announcement at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit could mark a transformative milestone, heralding EV maker’s grand entry into India’s burgeoning EV market and solidifying Gujarat’s position as a nucleus for cutting-edge automotive innovation.
