INDIA is considering tax cuts on the imports of completely-built units of electric vehicles (EVs), for a period of up to five years, as it tries to entice the likes of Tesla to sell and eventually make its cars in the country.

The Indian government is working on an electric vehicle policy that would allow international car manufacturers to import battery-powered vehicles on concessional duty rates if they commit to eventually building them in India, sources familiar with the matter said.

A final decision is yet to be taken on the policy’s contours, the sources said, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private. Spokespeople from India’s heavy industries and commerce ministries did not immediately respond to e-mails seeking comment.

In 2021, the Austin-based EV manufacturer had sought duty cuts on import of electric vehicles. It was hoping to have the rates reduced to 40 per cent from the current range of 70-100 per cent for its vehicles, depending on their import value.

Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal visited Tesla’s factory at Fremont, California on Tuesday (Nov 14).

“Proud to see the growing importance of auto component suppliers from India in the Tesla EV supply chain,” he posted on social media site X. “It is on its way to double its components imports from India.”

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Goyal is also in the US to attend the ministerial engagements of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Tesla is seeking to break into one of the world’s most promising auto markets where the demand for electric vehicles is rising among the country’s burgeoning middle class. For India, Tesla’s investment would aid the government’s push to increase the share of manufacturing in the nation’s GDP while also creating jobs.

India’s electric car market is currently at a nascent stage with EVs accounting for just 1.3 per cent of the total passenger vehicles sold last year, according to BloombergNEF. The adoption of EVs in the country has been held back by the high cost of cars, a dearth of options and lack of charging stations.

Opening up the EV segment could speed up the adoption of cleaner transport in a country that currently has the world’s most toxic air. The government launched a US$3.1 billion incentive programme in 2021 to boost local EV production.

Separately, India is also considering reducing import taxes on some electric vehicles from the UK as part of negotiations with Britain over a free-trade deal. BLOOMBERG