India’s electric vehicle (EV) scene is heating up with three international automakers—Tesla, VinFast and Kia—gearing up to unveil their latest offerings on July 15. As global EV sales gain momentum, these launches could reshape the competitive landscape in the country, where EV passenger car sales touched 4.4% in June 2025, up from around 2.5% a year ago.
The uptick in EV penetration, according to data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), is largely fuelled by subsidies and a growing appetite for clean mobility.
US-based Tesla is expected to kick-start its India journey with the Model Y SUV, priced around ₹55 lakh. The company plans to begin direct sales via a newly set-up showroom at Maker Maxity Mall in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, on July 16. Industry watchers believe that the price may reflect potential import duty relaxations under an anticipated trade pact between India and the US.
Tesla is also likely to unveil its marketing plans and announce another showroom in Delhi. All signs point to a cautious but firm entry strategy, especially with whispers of an auto import duty reduction in the air.
However, Tesla won’t have the market to itself. Chinese rival BYD is already in play, selling 2,819 EVs in 2024—up from 2,012 in 2023. Analysts suggest Tesla will have to brace for similar rivalry in India as well.
Vietnam’s VinFast, meanwhile, is opting for a localised route. The company will open pre-bookings for its VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs on July 16 and has already inked dealership deals with 13 auto groups to launch 32 showrooms across 27 cities in India.
The VF6 is likely to be priced around ₹25 lakh, while the VF7 could touch ₹50 lakh. Unlike Tesla’s import-first strategy, VinFast plans to manufacture its vehicles in India—an approach that could help the brand build ground-level traction and price appeal over time.
VinFast’s CEO Pham Sanh Chau stated that their dealership expansion is aimed at delivering reliable products with strong customer service backing. The company appears to be betting big on scale and local trust.
South Korea’s Kia is also joining the action with its all-electric Carens Clavis EV, expected to be priced around ₹19–20 lakh. A virtual launch is scheduled for July 15, during which the company’s India leadership will reveal pricing and booking details.
This new EV version will likely cost nearly double the internal combustion engine (ICE) version of the Carens, currently priced at ₹11.49 lakh. In June, Kia sold just 41 EV units, but the company seems keen on expanding that footprint.
India’s EV market is still dominated by local players. In June, Tata Motors led the passenger EV segment with 4,708 units sold, accounting for 36% of the market. JSW MG Motor followed with 3,972 units (30%), and Mahindra & Mahindra took third with 3,029 units (23%).
Hyundai managed just 512 vehicles, grabbing 4% of the market. With Tesla, VinFast and Kia now joining the fray more aggressively, the landscape could get a shake-up—but whether that translates into immediate sales remains to be seen.
