US electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla is preparing to sell its cars in India, and a new report holds that the company may be looking to partner with an India-based power company to bolster the country’s charging infrastructure.
CNBC reports that Tesla and India’s largest power company, Tata Power, may be looking to come to an arrangement over the country’s charging infrastructure, with talks still in very initial stages. While no agreements have been signed as of yet, Tesla plans to launch its vehicles in the country with just two or three sales outlets to start, to get a feel for the country’s auto market.
An official from the department of industry, Maharashtra- "The company will speak to Tata Power and Adani Electric about charging facilities. Besides it will also seek charging facilities at Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port." FPJ
Two days old news. So today's "rumour"…
— Tesla Club India® (@TeslaClubIN) March 12, 2021
It’s a big step for Tesla to be moving into the country, to be sure, but like many places in the world, the EV charging infrastructure in India will be looking to expand greatly in the years to come – especially as the EV market begins to take off for the world’s consumers.
Earlier this month, India’s Transport Minister said the country would offer Tesla the world’s lowest production costs if they moved manufacturing operations into the country.
In reports from earlier this year, the Indian government also confirmed Tesla would build a factory in Bengaluru, a tech hub in Southern India.
Update March 13: Tata has stated the report is “factually incorrect”, as reported by Business Today:
“Our EV charging business are constantly examining and exploring various growth opportunities of the business. No arrangement or agreements have been finalised as reported in the media. As required, we confirm that the news item published in “CNBC TV 18″ dated March 12, 2021, is factually incorrect,” Tata Power Co Ltd said in reply to clarification sought by exchanges about the news.
