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Tesla India becomes more feasible as gov’t announces new EV import policy
The Indian government has announced an updated policy for electric vehicles. The updated policy makes India friendlier to companies that wish to import EVs into the country. It also seems intended to incentivize domestic electric vehicle production and potentially lure high-profile EV makers like Tesla into the Indian market.
India’s new EV policy offers significant privileges for companies willing to make a substantial investment in the country. Key requirements include a minimum investment of ₹4,150 crore (approximately $500 million) with no upper limit. Companies that opt to invest in India must also set up local manufacturing facilities and start domestic commercial EV production within three years.
Govt brings in a new #EVPolicy to attract global EV players like #Tesla. Centre will cut #importduty from 100% to 15% for 8,000 fully built EVs per year, in return for a minimum investment commitment of Rs 4,150 crore & a commitment to make in India pic.twitter.com/LartbwEvv8— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) March 15, 2024
Furthermore, the updated EV policy requires companies to reach a minimum Domestic Value Addition (DVA) of 25% within three years and 50% within a maximum of five years. DVA refers to the percentage of localized components that companies will be using to manufacture their electric vehicles in India.
Companies that are willing to meet these criteria would be allowed to import up to 8,000 electric vehicles per year at a reduced import duty of 15% if they invest $800 million or more into India. This benefit applies specifically to vehicles with a minimum CIF value of USD 35,000. This is a notable improvement from the country’s typical import taxes, which range from 70% to 100% depending on their value.
Let's get Giga India rolling now @elonmusk @tesla @rohanspatel ⚡️⚡️
Indian govt has approved a new EV policy that allows EV imports at reduced duty of 15% temporarily for 40,000 units at 8000 max per year.
– Requires minimum investment Rs. 4150 crore($500M)
– 3yrs for setting… pic.twitter.com/JkCH69MY5z— Tesla Club India® (@TeslaClubIN) March 15, 2024
To ensure compliance with the policy’s objectives, companies must provide a bank guarantee in lieu of the custom duty forgone, as noted in an India Today report. This guarantee serves as a safety net and will be invoked if a company fails to meet the minimum investment or DVA targets.
It would not be surprising if India’s updated EV policy ends up attracting Tesla, though it remains to be seen if the EV maker would be willing to cap its imports into the country to just 8,000 units per year while it is building and ramping a production facility in the country. India’s requirements for Domestic Value Addition (DVA) would likely not be a problem for Tesla, however, considering the electric vehicle maker’s impressive localization efforts at Gigafactory Shanghai.
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Tesla shares epic 2025 recap video, confirms start of Cybercab production
The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development.
Tesla has released an epic year-in-review video for 2025, recapping some of its major achievements from refreshed models to autonomy breakthroughs and production ramps.
The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development while looking ahead to an even bigger 2026.
Tesla’s 2025 highlights recap
Tesla has had a busy 2025, as highlighted in the recap video. The video opened with Elon Musk explaining the company’s pursuit of sustainable abundance. A number of milestones were then highlighted, such as the rollout of FSD v14, Optimus’ numerous demos, the opening of the Tesla Diner in Hollywood, LA, the completion of the world’s first autonomous car delivery, and the launch of the Robotaxi network in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Tesla also highlighted several of its accomplishments over the year. As per the company, the Model Y was the year’s best-selling vehicle globally again, and Teslas became more affordable than ever thanks to the Model 3 and Model Y Standard. Other key models were also rolled out, such as the refreshed Model S and X, as well as the new Model Y, the new Model Y Performance, and the six-seat, extended wheelbase Model Y L.
The Megablock was also unveiled during the year, and the Supercharger Network grew by 18%. Over 1 million Powerwalls were also installed during the year, and the Cybertruck became the first EV truck to get both an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and an NHTSA 5-Star safety rating.
Cybercab production confirmed
Interestingly enough, Tesla also confirmed in its 2025 recap video that the production of the Cybercab has started. This bodes well for the vehicle, as it could result in the vehicle really being mass-produced in the first half of 2026. Elon Musk confirmed during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting that Cybercab production should earnestly start around April 2026.
Musk has also noted that the Cybercab will be Tesla’s highest-volume vehicle yet, with the company aiming for an annual production rate of about 2 million units. “If you’ve seen the design of the Cybercab line, it doesn’t look like a normal car manufacturing line,” Musk said earlier this year. “It looks like a really high-speed consumer electronics line. In fact, the line will move so fast that actually people can’t even get close to it.”
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Tesla Cybercab is changing the look of Austin’s roads, and it’s not even in production yet
Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic.
Even before entering production, Tesla’s Cybercab is already transforming the appearance of Austin’s streets, with multiple prototypes spotted testing in downtown areas recently.
Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic. Interestingly enough, the vehicles were equipped with temporary steering wheels and human safety drivers.
Recent Cybercab sightings
Over the weekend, enthusiasts captured footage of two Cybercabs driving together in central Austin, their futuristic silhouettes standing out amid regular traffic. While the vehicles featured temporary steering wheels and side mirrors for now, they retained their futuristic, production-intent exterior design.
Industry watcher Sawyer Merritt shared one of the vehicles’ videos, noting the increasing frequency of the autonomous two-seater’s sightings.
Previewing the autonomous future
Sightings of the Cybercab have been ramping in several key areas across the United States in recent weeks. Sightings include units at Apple’s Visitor Center in California, the Fremont factory test track, and in Austin’s streets.
The increased activity suggests that Tesla is in overdrive, validating the autonomous two-seater ahead of its planned volume production. Elon Musk confirmed at the 2025 Shareholder Meeting that manufacturing begins around April 2026 with ambitious targets, and during an All-Hands meeting earlier this year, Musk hinted that ultimately, Tesla’s factories should be able to produce one Cybercab every 10 seconds.
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Tesla celebrates 9 million vehicles produced globally
The achievement, announced by Tesla Asia on X, celebrated not just the Shanghai team’s output but the company’s cumulative production across all its factories worldwide.
Tesla has achieved a new milestone, rolling out its nine millionth vehicle worldwide from Giga Shanghai.
The achievement, announced by Tesla Asia on X, celebrated not just the Shanghai team’s output but the company’s cumulative production across all its factories worldwide. The milestone came as 2025 drew to a close, and it inspired praise from some of the company’s key executives.
Tesla’s 9 million vehicle milestone
The commemorative photo from Tesla Asia featured the Giga Shanghai team assembled on the factory floor, surrounding the milestone Model Y unit, which looked pristine in white. The image was captioned: “Our 9 millionth vehicle globally has just rolled off the production line at Giga Shanghai. Thanks to our owners and supporters around the world.”
Senior Vice President of Automotive Tom Zhu praised Tesla’s factory teams for the remarkable milestone. He also shared his gratitude to Tesla owners for their support. “Congrats to all Tesla factories for this amazing milestone! Thanks to our owners for your continued support!” Zhu wrote in a post on X.
Giga Shanghai’s legacy
Tesla’s nine million vehicle milestone is especially impressive considering that just 207 days ago, the company announced that it had built its eight millionth car globally. The eight millionth Tesla, a red Model Y, was built in Giga Berlin. The fact that Tesla was able to build a million cars in less than seven months is quite an accomplishment.
Giga Shanghai, Tesla’s largest factory by volume, has been instrumental to the company’s overall operations, having reached four million cumulative vehicles earlier in 2025. The plant produces Model 3 and Model Y for both domestic Chinese and export markets, making it the company’s primary vehicle export hub.