Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had earlier noted that Tesla would set up a research and development unit in Karnataka. He had later deleted that tweet
The state government of Gujarat has offered 1000 acres of land to Tesla. The state is trying its best to attract the electric vehicle brand to set its manufacturing plant there.
“They are undecided if they should come to a faraway place in Gujarat, or dig deep in Bengaluru. There is little or no social life in Gujarat, while it is not so in Bengaluru. They are trying to negotiate with both Gujarat and Karnataka governments,” Indian Express quoted a senior state government official from Gujarat.
Gujarat has become the latest addition to the list of states trying to attract Tesla. Formerly the state governments of Maharasthra as well as Karnataka have tried to attract the EV brand. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had even noted that Tesla would set up a research and development unit in Karnataka. He had later deleted that tweet.
It is now known that Tesla is looking to setup a assembly plant in India. There are speculations that the company may take the complete knocked down or semi knocked down route for bringing its car models in India.
There is also a strong possibility that Tesla will bring in completely build units (CBUs) in India and sell them using its registered channel partners. The same might initially make Tesla cars a bit expensive in India but the same will also give it time to test its products and audience response as well.
Nitin Gadkari, Transport Minister of India, had earlier said that the government of India will ensure that the production cost for Tesla is lower than that of China if the electric cars giant manufactures electric vehicles in India. India, at the moment does not have a comprehensive EV policy in place. Gadkari, mentioning that with 80 per cent of the lithium-ion cells being made in India, the country can also be a major market for USA-based Tesla.
The state government of Gujarat has recently announced a new electric vehicle policy. This new policy promises subsidies worth Rs 870 crore for electric vehicles and for setting up charging points in different cities of the state.
Vijay Rupani, the chief minister of Gujarat, while unveiling the state’s new EV policy noted that the same has been designed with a target of at least two lakh EV on the roads of Gujarat in the next four years. The policy promises incentives ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1,50,000 on purchase of electric vehicles