Paytm founder buys Tesla Model Y, becomes one of the first high-profile Indians to own a Tesla
Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma this week became one of the first high-profile Indians to own a Tesla after the company’s official India launch, taking delivery of a Glacier Blue Model Y at the newly opened Gurugram Tesla Centre.
Although there was no public announcement by Sharma, the images of his purchase went viral online, in which he is seen receiving his car from the Tesla India head, Sharad Agarwal.
Reportedly, Sharma had booked his Tesla as early as 2016, well before the company’s official entry into India, placing him among the first Indians to do so.
The delivery marks a long-awaited milestone for Sharma, who was one of the first Indians to reserve a Tesla, having booked a Model 3 back in 2016, well before the company officially launched in the country.
Tesla Model Y Specifications
Currently, Tesla has launched two models of Model Y for the Indian market.
Meanwhile, Long Range RWD is equipped with an 84.2 kWh battery, claims 661 km range, and comes at Rs 67.89 lakh (ex-showroom).
Both models have a driver-assist system, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, a huge central touchscreen, and a panoramic glass roof.
Tesla opened its first full-fledged Indian facility at Orchid Business Park in Gurugram on November 26, bringing retail, service, test drives, deliveries, and charging infrastructure under one roof.
According to reports, Tesla has sold about 140 vehicles since reservations started in the middle of July.
Tesla has been increasing its footprint since its official launch in July, thanks to the company’s experience centres in Delhi and Mumbai as well as an expanding network of charging stations. As of now, Tesla runs three charging stations and is planning to open a fourth at One Horizon in Gurugram. When it's ready, the network will have ten destination chargers and sixteen superchargers. According to Tesla, its Supercharging method can increase range by up to 275 km in roughly 15 minutes.