Tesla has launched its first vehicle manufactured in India, the Model Y L long-wheelbase variant, priced at ₹61.99 lakh ex-showroom, marking the automaker’s entry into local production with a six-seat electric SUV aimed at families seeking more space than the standard model offers.
The new variant, which began accepting bookings immediately with deliveries slated to start in June, extends the wheelbase by 179mm to 3,040mm, enabling a 2+2+2 seating configuration that adds a third row while maintaining the model’s minimalist design language. Compared to the standard Model Y, the L version is 44mm taller and carries a price premium of ₹2.10 lakh, placing it between the base model at ₹59.89 lakh and the Performance variant at ₹67.89 lakh in India’s current lineup.
Inside, the cabin features a 16-inch touchscreen, dual wireless charging pads, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, extended under-thigh support, pillar-mounted rear AC vents, and a panoramic glass roof. An 18-speaker audio system and a secondary display for rear passengers are included, though there is no traditional instrument cluster—all driving data appears on the main screen. Safety equipment includes multiple airbags, electronic stability control, front and rear parking sensors, and an electronic parking brake, with Advanced Driver Assistance System standard and Full Self Driving available as an option.
Under the floor lies an 88.2kWh battery pack (85kWh usable) powering a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, making the Model Y L Tesla’s first AWD vehicle offered in India. The automaker claims a 0–100kmph time of five seconds and a WLTP range of 681km—20km more than the long-range Model Y—with a top speed of 201kmph. While the power output of 514hp trails the BYD Sealion 7 AWD’s 530hp, it remains the second-most powerful electric SUV in its competitive set, which includes the Kia EV6, BMW iX1 LWB, Volvo EC40, and Mini Countryman Electric.
In dimensions, the Model Y L surpasses all rivals: at 4,976mm long, 1,982mm wide, and 1,668mm tall, it is longer, wider, and taller than the Sealon 7, iX1 LWB, Countryman Electric, EC40, and EV6. Its 169mm ground clearance exceeds the standard model but falls short of the iX1 LWB’s estimated 190mm. With all seats upright, boot space measures 420 litres, expanding to 1,076 litres with the third row folded and reaching a maximum of 2,539 litres when both rear rows are folded—far surpassing the cargo capacity of five-seat EVs in the segment. A 116-litre frunk adds further storage versatility.
This launch represents Tesla’s first locally produced vehicle in India, following years of delays over import duties and localization requirements. The last time the company introduced a new variant to the Indian market was in 2022 with the Model 3 refresh, though that model remains imported. By contrast, the Model Y L is being built at Tesla’s new factory near Bengaluru, signaling a shift toward compliance with India’s production-linked incentive schemes and a longer-term commitment to the market despite ongoing volatility in global EV demand.
Pricing positions the Model Y L above mass-market offerings like the Tata Nexon EV and MG ZS EV but below traditional luxury entrants such as the Mercedes EQC or Jaguar I-Pace, though it enters a segment where true three-row electric SUVs remain virtually nonexistent. Competitors like the Kia EV6 and BMW iX1 offer only five seats, while the Volvo EC40 is a coupe-styled crossover with limited rear space. The BYD Sealion 7, while offering an optional third row, does so only in select markets and lacks the same level of standard equipment.
Industry analysts note that the timing coincides with a softening in global EV sales growth, particularly in Europe and China, yet India’s market remains nascent and underpenetrated—offering Tesla a potential first-mover advantage in the premium electric SUV space if it can scale production and service infrastructure rapidly. However, challenges persist, including high ownership costs due to limited charging networks outside major cities and the vehicle’s relatively high price point in a market where most electric vehicles sell for under ₹20 lakh.
Is the Model Y L eligible for any government subsidies or tax incentives in India?
No, the Model Y L does not qualify for central or state-level EV subsidies due to its price exceeding the ₹15 lakh cap set under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Vehicles (FAME) II scheme, and it attracts the highest GST rate of 28% plus a cess that varies by state.
How does the Model Y L’s range compare to other electric SUVs in its price bracket?
With a claimed WLTP range of 681km, the Model Y L offers the highest official range among electric SUVs available in India, surpassing the BYD Sealion 7 (up to 460km), Kia EV6 (up to 528km), and BMW iX1 (up to 415km) under the same testing standard.
Will Tesla offer a seven-seat version of the Model Y in India?
Tesla has not announced plans for a seven-seat variant of the Model Y in India, though the larger Model X has offered six- and seven-seat configurations globally; the company cited no current development on extending the Model Y beyond six seats in the local market.
