As Tesla unveils its highly-anticipated showroom in Mumbai, Indians are raising concerns about whether Elon Musk’s electric vehicles can handle the country’s notoriously rough roads. 
Despite the excitement, the reality of high import tariffs and inadequate infrastructure has led many to question if these sleek cars will survive the pothole-filled streets of Indian cities.
The cost of a Tesla Model Y in India has already drawn criticism. At $70,000, it’s nearly double the price in China, largely due to India’s steep import taxes. But cost isn’t the only issue at play here-Indians are wondering if the car’s advanced features, such as Full Self-Driving (FSD), are ready to cope with the country’s chaotic traffic and road conditions.
One user humorously linked the high price of the Model Y to the necessity of navigating India’s potholes and broken bridges, dubbing the situation “Tax Terrorism.” Another user lamented that, despite waiting since 2017 for a Tesla launch in India, they won’t be buying a car that requires paying exorbitant taxes for roads full of potholes.
Beyond the pricing, many users doubted whether Tesla’s vehicles could endure the rough Indian roads. Some questioned the durability of Tesla’s electric vehicles when faced with the country’s notorious potholes and erratic driving practices. One user quipped, “Tesla’s Autopilot in India will need AI + divine intervention to handle wrong-side heroes, invisible lanes, potholes-turned-pools, and cows with VIP access.”
However, not all comments were negative. Some users expressed optimism, speculating that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system could improve after navigating India’s challenging roads. “Maybe introducing Tesla FSD Autodrive in India is not a very good choice,” one commenter noted, “but I hope they have trained their model to handle potholes, cows, dogs, and 90-degree bridges.”
One particularly amusing comment suggested that after experiencing Indian roads, Elon Musk might consider inventing flying cars, tailored specifically for India. This lighthearted remark invited Musk to visit Mumbai and see for himself, humorously predicting that he would soon roll out a solution for flying cars to avoid the infamous potholes.
Despite these concerns, Tesla’s entry into the Indian market signals a new chapter for electric vehicles in the country. However, the real test will be whether these vehicles can thrive in the challenging conditions of India’s infrastructure.