Tesla Inc is in early discussions with Reliance Industries Ltd about a possible joint venture (JV) to build an electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility in India, Hindu BusinessLine reported.

Reliance’s role hasn’t been finalised, but Mukesh Ambani’s conglomerate is expected to have a significant part in helping Tesla establish the factory and associated operations, the newspaper reported, citing people it didn’t identify. Senior Tesla officials are expected to visit India to finalise the plant’s location, and the JV, in a month, it said. 

A spokesperson for Reliance declined to comment on the report when contacted by Bloomberg News. A Tesla representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Chief executive officer Elon Musk said last year that Tesla will make a significant investment in India as the government looks to entice foreign EV brands to set up facilities. The country has been working on an agreement that would see the carmaker make an initial minimum investment of about US$2 billion to set up a plant, Bloomberg News reported in November last year. Tesla would also look to increase purchases of auto parts from the nation to as much as US$15 billion. 

Musk has looked to break into India for years as the country’s growing middle class seeks to spend their increasing wealth on new-energy vehicles. The government last month lowered import duties on EVs for foreign companies provided they invest at least 41.5 billion rupees (US$500 million or RM2.37 billion) and start producing vehicles domestically within three years. There’s also a cap on the number of EVs an overseas brand can import. 

The move is aimed at spurring investment from global firms, which is viewed as key to accelerating India’s switch to greener cars. EVs made up just 2.3% of the total number of passenger vehicles sold last year, according to BloombergNEF, with high prices and limited charging infrastructure key hurdles to more widespread adoption. 

  - Bloomberg