Social media buzzes after sighting of Tesla’s futuristic EV on Indian roads — here’s the real story

In a surprise that sent shockwaves through India’s EV enthusiast community, a Tesla Cybertruck was recently spotted on the outskirts of Mumbai, drawing widespread attention on social media. Shared first on X (formerly Twitter), the image showed the electric truck being transported with no camouflage, raising speculation about Tesla’s plans for the Indian market.

However, sources indicate there’s a catch: the Cybertruck was likely imported temporarily from Dubai and not a part of Tesla’s immediate product plans for India. This trend of importing high-end electric vehicles for short durations, particularly from Dubai, has been seen before — and this case appears no different.

This sighting comes amidst reports that Tesla is actively preparing to enter the Indian market. While the Cybertruck isn’t on the cards yet, Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 are expected to lead the company’s Indian debut. A prototype of the Model Y has already been seen on Indian roads recently, further validating Tesla’s local testing operations.

While the Cybertruck’s bold design and immense capabilities have made it a global sensation, Tesla has not made any official announcement regarding its Indian launch. The EV giant is currently prioritizing more mass-market models suited to India’s roads and pricing sensitivities.

Though not bound for Indian showrooms yet, the Tesla Cybertruck’s arrival — even briefly — has captured imaginations due to its radical, cyberpunk-inspired design. Built with 30X cold-rolled stainless steel, the Cybertruck offers a bulletproof-like exoskeleton, armoured glass, and geometric angular styling that sets it apart from any truck on the road.

Inside, it features a minimalist six-seat layout, a 17-inch touchscreen display, and a large storage vault offering 100 cubic feet of space. Powertrain options range from single to tri-motor all-wheel-drive configurations, with the tri-motor model capable of 0–100 km/h in under 3 seconds and a range of up to 805 km.

The Cybertruck can also tow up to 14,000 pounds, making it one of the most capable electric trucks in the world.

As Tesla continues its negotiations with Indian authorities and works on setting up local manufacturing or assembly units, the Model Y and Model 3 remain top contenders for the official launch. A more affordable version of the Model Y is also in development, but its release has reportedly been delayed.

Until then, the Cybertruck’s cameo in India remains symbolic—a glimpse into a high-tech future that Tesla may one day bring to Indian roads.