Tesla is welcome in India, but manufacturing in China and selling in India is “not a digestible concept”, Union Minister for Roads and Highways and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari told News18 in an exclusive interview. Gadkari also revealed that he had recently held talks with Tesla’s India chief to persuade him to set up his plant here, given that India is a huge market.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s tweet last month about Tesla facing problems entering the Indian market caused a stir, with several states openly inviting Musk to visit the set shop. “Tesla is welcome in India, we have no problem. Indian market is a huge market. The turnover of the Indian automobile industry is Rs 7.5 lakh crore. And all the iconic brands all over the world – BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai, Toyota, Volvo, Honda – are all here. So there is a huge market,” the Union minister told News18.
Nitin Gadkari Said that Elon Musk is interested in making Tesla cars in China and selling it in India. “We request them that you can start your plant here. With all the accessories we have here, you can get quality production and good sales here. So if you start from here, you’re welcome, no problem. But manufacturing in China and selling in India is not a digestible concept for all of us,” he said.
Gadkari also revealed that 3-4 days back, Musk had a conversation with Tesla’s India chief and he has tried to convince them. “Ultimately, it is up to him to decide,” he said.
Tesla has also complained about not getting enough tax benefits in India. “Actually we do not have one company, we have all the world giants present in the Indian market. If we give a profit to one company, we have to pass that benefit to other companies as well. This is a practical problem,” Gadkari argued in response to a News18 query on this.
‘In two years, electric vehicle will cost the same as others’
Gadkari claimed that getting good manufacturing numbers within two years would make the cost of electric two, three and four wheelers and even buses at par with petrol and diesel vehicles.
“We can achieve this,” he said, adding that it is a “numbers game”. He said that there has been a growth of e-vehicles in big cities like Mumbai, Pune and Delhi and within two years, all corporations will have electric buses. “Lithium-ion batteries are being manufactured here now, but we are developing zinc-ion, sodium-ion and aluminum-ion. So this new chemistry is going to be helpful for the industry. We are moving towards green hydrogen. Green Hydrogen is the fuel of the future and my idea is to export Green Hydrogen all over the world.
He said that India is importing crude oil, gas and petroleum worth Rs 8 lakh crore and wants to replace it with alternative fuels like ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, CNG, electric, bio-LNG and green hydrogen. “I am confident as the Transport Minister that within three years, we are going to set up all kinds of technology manufacturing in India and the country will be the No. 1 manufacturing hub for automobiles in the world within five years. Our target is to be the leader of this sector. The business is to go from Rs 7.5 lakh crore to Rs 15 lakh crore.
Gadkari said that it is the sector which is giving maximum employment potential, which is giving maximum revenue to the state and center in GST, and is very important for the development of India.
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