“While the role of RIL hasn’t been crystalised yet, it
is expected that the Indian conglomerate may play a significant hand in
establishing the manufacturing facility and the allied ecosystem for Tesla in
India,” said another highly placed source with knowledge of the matter. In
2023, RIL, in partnership with Ashok Leyland, launched India’s first hydrogen
internal combustion engine-powered heavy-duty truck. RIL also unveiled
removable and swappable batteries for EVs last year.
Tesla is said to have
committed $2 billion to its upcoming plans in India.
It is said that the company could choose Maharashtra
to set up the manufacturing plant. “Tesla plans to use the facility for
domestic and export purposes, and hence, it may prefer a location suitable for
port facilities,” said a source quoted above.
Senior officials of Tesla are expected to visit the
country to finalise the plant location in a month or so and crystallise on the
joint venture with RIL. It is said that Tesla
may search for another domestic partner if the ongoing current talks do not
yield desired result.