With delivery estimated to start from the third quarter, Tesla will drive on to India's busy roads, targeting a niche premium EV segment that accounts for just 4% of overall sales in the world's third-largest car market.

The entry marks a close to a long-winding, topsy-turvy journey around Tesla’s touted entry in India’s nascent and slowly growing EV market, after the company criticised India for having high import duties.

In a nation where the average salary is around $4,200 a year, the all-electric carmaker is launching a $70,000 vehicle. The question is why.