In Short : Tesla is considering Maharashtra for its first EV plant in India as its market entry gains momentum. The company has started hiring for key roles and is in talks with Indian authorities. With potential investments of $2-3 billion, Tesla’s move could boost local economies, create jobs, and accelerate India’s transition to sustainable transportation solutions.
In Detail : Tesla has begun scouting locations for an EV manufacturing plant in India, with Maharashtra currently seen as the strongest contender.
Tesla has initiated discussions with state officials while assessing potential sites for its proposed manufacturing facility, the report stated.
Tesla’s growing focus on Maharashtra follows Elon Musk’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US last week.
Musk reportedly pushed for incentives such as lower import duties on EVs to facilitate Tesla’s entry into India.
The report states that Maharashtra is Tesla’s top choice, given the company’s existing office in Pune. Additionally, the state hosts several Tesla suppliers, strengthening its appeal as an expansion hub.
To attract Tesla, the Maharashtra government has proposed locations near Chakan and Chikhali, both of which are close to Pune, according to an official cited in the report.
Chakan serves as a prominent automobile manufacturing hub, hosting major firms such as Mercedes-Benz, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Volkswagen, and Bajaj Auto.
Despite Maharashtra leading the race, state officials have stated that talks are still underway, with no final agreement in place.
Tesla is reportedly assessing logistical factors, including port accessibility, before committing to a location.
Although Maharashtra is currently leading the race, other states are actively competing to host Tesla’s plant.
The final decision may depend on the incentive packages various states put forward, the report stated.
Having lost major investments like the Tata-Airbus aircraft project to rival states in the past, Maharashtra is taking a more strategic approach in its negotiations with Tesla.
Following Musk’s interaction with Modi, Tesla posted 13 job listings on LinkedIn, signalling its growing interest in India.
The openings, located in Mumbai and Delhi, cover positions in sales, vehicle service, customer support, and business operations.
According to industry analysts, Tesla’s hiring activity hints at plans to establish sales showrooms in India before setting up a manufacturing plant.
The report claims that Tesla has begun talks with top executives at leading Indian EV firms like Tata Motors. The report suggests that Tesla may be exploring partnerships or sourcing components locally.
