TECH NEWS – Many people on Twitter think that Tesla’s cars won’t be able to withstand the poor condition of India’s roads.

The company has opened its highly anticipated showroom in Mumbai. Internet users have wondered whether the company’s vehicles will be able to withstand the harsh Indian driving environment. High tariffs in India have been an issue for Tesla ahead of its launch in the country. Currently, a Tesla Model Y costs $70,000 in India, nearly double the price in China. However, the high cost is perhaps the least of prospective Tesla owners’ worries, as Indians on social media have questioned whether Elon Musk’s electric vehicles can survive potholes.

Along with Musk, Indians are unhappy about the high tariffs Tesla faces to sell its cars in India. One Twitter user linked the high price — which includes paying the government Rs 2.9 million of Tesla’s Rs 6.1 million — to potholes. The user said that Indians pay this tax to drive on roads with potholes or broken bridges and called the price “tax terrorism.” Another user complained that, despite having waited for Tesla’s launch in India since 2017, he would not purchase a car due to the high taxes. They said that Teslas are unsuitable for Indian roads due to potholes, encroachments, and drivers using the wrong side of the road.

Tesla’s driver assistance platform, FSD, was also discussed, along with its potential pitfalls. One user joked that they are eager for the self-driving car to run into potholes with precision. Another user noted that Tesla’s Autopilot in India would require AI and divine intervention to handle left-hand traffic, invisible lanes, potholes that turn into pools, and cows with VIP passes.

However, others took an optimistic approach, claiming that Tesla might be able to improve FSD after it has been operating in India. They hope to train the model to recognize potholes, 90-degree bridges, cows, and dogs. Another user wondered if Musk would invent flying cars after experiencing Indian roads. They urged Musk to visit India and experience the roads for himself, believing that Musk will design flying cars specifically for India in the near future.

Brilliantly sarcastic — couldn’t agree more! 😄
Tesla’s Autopilot in India will need AI + divine intervention to handle wrong-side heroes, invisible lanes, potholes-turned-pools, and Cows with VIP access.
As for parking and charging — welcome to jugaad country, where even space…

— नवरंग (@Navrang) July 15, 2025

@elonmusk should come to Mumbai and drive @Tesla from Andheri saki naka to BKC on potholes roads , I m sure he will come out with flying cars specially for India as soon as possible

— SRK (@sanjeevkasliwal) July 15, 2025

After Mumbai, Tesla is expected to open its next showroom in Delhi. Due to high tariffs, Tesla’s main competitors in India will be luxury car makers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The launch in India comes at a time when Tesla’s sales in Europe and North America are declining, leaving the company with excess capacity.

Source: WCCFTech