TAX-LA or Tesla? India Reacts to the Costly EV Launch with Memes

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🚗 Tesla’s India Launch Turns into a Meme Fest — “TAX‑LA” Is Born!

Date: July 21, 2025
Author: Spyder
Category: Trending | Auto | Opinion



Tesla has finally rolled into India — but not in the way many hoped. The long-awaited launch of the Tesla Model Y in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex on July 15, 2025, created waves. But instead of full-throttle excitement, it drove straight into a flood of memes and mockery.

Why? Let's break it down.


💰 The Shocking Price Tag

The Tesla Model Y is priced between ₹59.9 lakh to ₹67.9 lakh in India. In the U.S., the same car starts at around ₹32 lakh.

So where’s the extra ₹30+ lakh coming from?

📊 The Price Breakdown:

  • ~70% Import Duty

  • ~30% Luxury Tax

  • No local manufacturing yet

This puts the Model Y squarely in the luxury zone — out of reach for most Indians.



🤯 Netizens React: “TAX‑LA, Not Tesla!”

Social media exploded with reactions, memes, and jokes. Here are some viral comments:

“It’s not Tesla, it’s Tax-la!”
“Why buy a Tesla when you can buy an apartment?”
“Will self-driving survive cows, potholes, and monsoon traffic?”

Indians turned frustration into humor, highlighting everything from road conditions to the irony of importing a car for the elite in a country starving for EV adoption at scale.

🎯 Self-Driving Meets Indian Chaos

Tesla’s cutting-edge Autopilot and Full Self Driving (FSD) features are designed for American highways — but Indian roads?

  • Stray animals

  • Unpredictable traffic

  • Bad lane discipline

  • Rain-filled potholes

Netizens questioned the practicality of these features and mocked the idea of self-driving cars navigating through chaotic Indian cities.

🗣️ Political & Public Response

Even politicians jumped in:

  • Aaditya Thackeray criticized the central government for high import taxes.

  • Anand Mahindra, however, welcomed Tesla and called it a big step for India's EV future.

So the debate is on: Is Tesla’s entry a victory or vanity?

🔧 What's Next for Tesla in India?

Tesla hasn’t confirmed local manufacturing, which could dramatically reduce prices. They are, however, planning to set up Superchargers in:

  • Mumbai

  • Delhi NCR

  • Bengaluru

There are rumors about assembly units being discussed in Tamil Nadu or Gujarat — but no official announcements yet.

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