Nitin Gadkari confirms that Elon Musk's Tesla Motors will be coming to India in 2021

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari confirmed that Elon Musk's Tesla Motors will enter India in 2021. Gadkari said that the American electric car major is set to start its operations in India next year, adding that the company would also look at setting up a manufacturing unit based on demand.

Tesla Inc. co-founder and chief executive Elon Musk had in December 27 said the company will enter the Indian market in 2021 when he replied to a Twitter user about Tesla's possible entry in the country. Musk had said 'but definitely this year,' while replying to a query on Tesla's India plans on Twitter.

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Tesla will have its distribution facility for its cars in India from next year 

"American auto major Tesla will have its distribution facility (sale centres) for its cars in India from next year and considering the demand it would look into setting up of manufacturing here. India has the potential to become the largest EV (electric vehicle) producer in the world in the next five years," Gadkari told PTI.
 

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The Transport Minister has been pushing for green fuel and electric vehicles for cutting India's huge Rs 8 lakh crore crude imports and towards battling climate change. "With India's pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 30-35 per cent by 2030 and efforts to cut down on Rs 8 lakh crore-worth crude oil imports, the focus is also on green fuel and electricity as well as EVs," the minister said.

Stressing that India has a power surplus, Gadkari said the benefits of e-mobility solutions are immense here. "The Centre intends to have an electric vehicle sales penetration of 30 per cent for private cars, 70 per cent for commercial cars, 40 per cent for buses, and 80 per cent for two and three-wheelers by 2030 by providing various incentives, which are likely to drive the growth of EV market in India," Gadkari said.

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Also, the government is planning to set up at least one e-charging kiosk at each of the around 69,000 petrol pumps across the country with an aim to accelerate the uptake of EVs, he added. Gadkari said it was an opportune time to harbour the ambition of becoming number one in EVs as raw material and skilled manpower was available in India, making it a 'win-win situation'.

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(With PTI Inputs)