Wish to spread awareness about electric mobility among citizens, especially youth: Maha minister
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has made a special move to promote electric vehicles and sustainable transportation. On Friday, he took delivery of a brand-new Tesla Model Y from the company’s new showroom in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex. His goal? To encourage more people, especially young minds, to adopt electric mobility.
Sarnaik shared his excitement on social media, explaining that he bought the electric car to raise awareness about the benefits of EVs. “I want children to see these cars early and understand why sustainable transport is important,” he said. As a symbolic gesture, he plans to gift the Tesla to his grandson.
Tesla’s entry into India has generated a lot of buzz, but so far, the response has been modest. Since bookings started in mid-July, the company has received just over 600 orders — far fewer than Tesla’s global sales figures, where thousands of cars sell in hours. Still, Tesla is optimistic and plans to deliver between 350 and 500 vehicles to India this year. The first batch recently arrived from Shanghai in early September.
Initially, Tesla deliveries will focus on cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Gurugram. Sarnaik emphasized the importance of leading by example to boost EV adoption. “Even if the cars are a bit more expensive now, it’s crucial to set the right example and push for more electric vehicles,” he said.
The Maharashtra government is also supporting electric mobility with incentives like toll exemptions on key highways and already has around 5,000 electric buses on the roads. Meanwhile, Tesla is working on expanding its infrastructure in India, setting up charging stations in Mumbai and Delhi. The company is also planning to open a new experience centre in South India next year to promote electric cars further.
This move by Maharashtra’s transport minister shows a step toward a cleaner, greener future, encouraging more people to switch to electric vehicles and reduce pollution.
