You can save Rs 20 lakh in 4-5 years if you buy this EV, it costs Rs 60 lakh though

The Tesla Model Y electric SUVs at Tesla Centre in Gurugram.

Thinking of bringing home a Tesla Model Y? The company says buyers might want to factor in more than just the sticker price. According to Tesla, owners in India could end up saving close to Rs 20 lakh over a four-to-five-year period, thanks to lower maintenance expenses and reduced spending on fuel compared to a conventional vehicle.

Tesla's India portfolio currently consists solely of the Model Y. The electric SUV is brought in as a completely built unit (CBU) from Tesla's Shanghai facility and is sold in a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration.

It is available in two variants -- the standard RWD priced at Rs 59.89 lakh (ex-showroom) and the Long Range RWD at Rs 67.89 lakh (ex-showroom). Prices remain higher than in global markets because of India's high import duties on fully built models.

Indian customers can save around Rs 20 lakh while buying a Model Y in terms of maintenance and petrol costs, Reuters reported Tesla India General Manager Sharad Agarwal as saying at the opening of India's first integrated Tesla Centre in Gurugram.

The standard RWD version delivers a claimed 500km range on a full charge, while the Long Range variant extends this to 622km. Tesla quotes a 0-100kmph time of 5.9 seconds for the standard version and 5.6 seconds for the Long Range, with both limited to a 201kmph top speed. Using a fast charger, the standard Model Y can recover about 238km of range in 15 minutes, and the Long Range can add around 267km in the same duration.

The Model Y carries Tesla's familiar minimalist styling, featuring an aerodynamic silhouette, clean surfaces, sharp detailing and full LED lighting with lightbars at the front and rear. Driver-assistance functions are supported by a suite of eight cameras.

The cabin gets aluminium highlights and premium materials. It is equipped with a 15.4-inch central touchscreen and an 8-inch display for rear passengers. The front seats are powered and ventilated, and the second row features heating, power folding and two-way adjustment. Ambient lighting is integrated into the doors and footwells, and a nine-speaker audio system is standard.

Tesla has focussed on improving cabin insulation with a revised suspension setup and laminated glass for the roof and windows to lower noise levels. The Model Y is offered in six exterior colours. Stealth Grey is the only no-cost option, while the others carry premiums of up to Rs 1.85 lakh.

Tesla delivered 104 units in India across September and October, according to data from the industry body Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA). As a CBU, the Model Y is subject to a 70% import duty, pushing its price into the bracket of luxury electric SUVs from Mercedes-Benz and BMW.