In a move that’s got EV enthusiasts buzzing, Tesla has quietly supercharged its Model Y—the brand’s only offering in the Indian market—with a significant range extension for the Long Range variant. What was once capped at 622 km on a single charge now stretches to an impressive 661 km, thanks to a beefier 84.2 kWh battery pack swapping in for the previous 75 kWh unit. This under-the-radar tweak, spotted on Tesla’s Indian configurator, arrives without a price hike, making the electric SUV even more compelling for range-anxious buyers in a country where charging infrastructure is still catching up.Launched in July 2025 amid much fanfare, the Model Y has been Tesla’s beachhead in India, imported from the Gigafactory Shanghai. The silent update underscores the company’s iterative approach to software and hardware refinements, often rolled out globally without much trumpet. While the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variant sticks with its 60 kWh battery and 500 km claimed range, the Long Range RWD now edges closer to true long-haul viability, potentially swaying fence-sitters in the premium EV segment.
Battery Boost: More Juice, Same Sip
At the core of this upgrade is the jump from approximately 78.1 kWh to 84.2 kWh usable capacity in the Long Range pack, paired with Tesla’s efficiency tweaks like aerodynamic refinements and optimized energy management. The result? A WLTP-rated 661 km range that promises fewer pit stops on India’s diverse road networks—from Mumbai’s congested arterials to Delhi’s dusty expressways. Acceleration holds steady at 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, with a top speed of 217 km/h, ensuring the Model Y’s sporty DNA remains intact.The base RWD, starting at Rs 59.89 lakh (ex-showroom), keeps its 455 Nm torque punch for urban agility, while the Long Range variant—priced at Rs 64.89 lakh—delivers 487 Nm for those highway hauls. Both benefit from Tesla’s Supercharger network, now expanding in key cities, with the upgraded model adding up to 267 km of range in a quick 15-minute session. No changes to the minimalist interior or Autopilot suite, but the extra electrons mean peace of mind for families eyeing the five-seater’s 2,138-liter cargo flexibility.
Market Momentum: Bookings Surge as Deliveries Ramp Up
The timing couldn’t be sweeter. Since hitting Indian shores in July, the Model Y has racked up over 600 bookings, reflecting strong initial interest from tech-savvy urbanites and early adopters. September 2025 marked a milestone with 60 units delivered—mostly in metros like Mumbai and Delhi—signaling Tesla’s ramp-up from zero to hero in a nascent market. That’s a solid start for a Rs 60 lakh-plus import, especially against rivals like the Mercedes EQE (starting Rs 1.3 crore) or BMW iX (Rs 1.2 crore), which cater to a pricier, import-heavy bracket.Yet, challenges linger: High duties keep ex-showroom tags steep, and without local assembly, scalability is capped. Tesla’s 2025 India sales target has been dialed back to 350-500 units, but this range bump could juice conversions from the booking backlog. Analysts point to growing EV incentives and infrastructure as tailwinds, with the Model Y’s falcon-wing doors and over-the-air updates positioning it as the “iPhone of SUVs” for India’s aspirational class.
Why This Matters for India’s EV Ambitions
Tesla’s stealth upgrade isn’t just a spec sheet flex—it’s a strategic nod to Indian realities. With highways expanding under the Bharatmala project and EV adoption hitting 2% of new car sales in 2025, longer ranges address the “range anxiety” that’s long plagued battery-powered mobility here. The Model Y now outpaces the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s 631 km in the sub-Rs 70 lakh segment, while undercutting the Kia EV6’s premium pricing.As Tesla eyes a Mumbai showroom launch and potential local production by 2027, this refresh keeps the buzz alive. For buyers, it’s a no-brainer: More miles per charge without more rupees. In a market projected to hit 1.5 million EV sales by 2030, the Model Y’s evolution from 622 km to 661 km might just accelerate Tesla’s grip on India’s electric future—one silent update at a time. If you’re in the market, configure yours on Tesla’s site—the extra 39 km could be the edge that seals the deal.
