India and Pakistan, two of South Asia’s largest and most dynamic markets, are seeing very different stories unfold in their electric vehicle (EV) landscapes as 2025 draws to a close. While Tesla’s much-anticipated debut in India has stumbled, a lesser-known brand, ALEKTRA, is making waves in neighboring Pakistan by offering an EV that’s both affordable and practical for everyday motorists. These contrasting experiences reveal the complex realities—and the persistent challenges—of electrifying transport in the region.
When Tesla announced its entry into the Indian market, the news was met with a surge of excitement. According to BBC, the company racked up more than 600 bookings by mid-September 2025, sparking hopes that the American EV giant would quickly carve out a significant share. However, the reality has been sobering: since July, Tesla has managed to sell just over 100 cars. The numbers are especially disappointing given that the launch coincided with India’s festive season, a period when car sales typically soar, and followed recent GST-related tax revisions that were expected to boost demand.
Industry analysts and auto experts have been left scratching their heads. Why hasn’t Tesla’s global allure translated into booming sales in India? The answer, it seems, lies in a confluence of stubborn obstacles. High import duties have made Tesla’s cars prohibitively expensive for many would-be buyers. The slow pace of EV adoption in India, coupled with a still-maturing charging infrastructure, has further dampened enthusiasm. As of November 2025, India’s entire EV passenger vehicle market accounts for less than 3% of total car sales, and the country has only about 25,000 charging stations nationwide—a fraction of what’s needed for mass adoption.
Meanwhile, premium rivals like BMW, BYD, and Mercedes-Benz have been reporting healthy momentum in the electric segment, suggesting that the appetite for EVs is there, but perhaps not for Tesla’s particular mix of price and brand promise. Reports indicate that while Tesla collected more than 600 bookings, only a fraction materialized into actual deliveries. The high upfront pricing of Tesla models, exacerbated by taxes, has been a significant deterrent.
Yet, Tesla’s India head, Sharad Agarwal, remains optimistic about the long-term economics. In an interview with the BBC, he argued that customers could recover up to ₹20 lakh in fuel and maintenance savings over four years—roughly one-third the cost of a Model Y in India. "Most servicing is handled via software updates, lowering maintenance costs, and home charging costs are one-tenth of petrol expenses," Agarwal emphasized. He also pointed to Tesla’s at-home charging convenience, which can add up to 70 kilometers of range per hour, and the company’s rapid expansion of its own charging network, including superchargers capable of delivering 170 miles in just 15 minutes.
Despite these advantages, the question remains: can Tesla’s strengths overcome India’s economic and policy hurdles? For now, the answer appears to be no. The debut has been far from the blockbuster launch many had expected. Even as the company touts its cutting-edge technology and long-term savings, the immediate barriers—high taxes, slow infrastructure growth, and steep upfront costs—continue to hold back mass adoption.
Across the border in Pakistan, however, a very different story is unfolding. While Tesla wrestles with the expectations of an upper-middle-class market, ALEKTRA has chosen to address the needs of the masses. As reported by local automotive news outlets, ALEKTRA has introduced Pakistan’s most affordable electric vehicle—a tiny quadricycle priced at just Rs. 10.45 lacs (about $3,700 USD at current exchange rates). Bookings and test drives are already underway at ALEKTRA’s showroom in Liberty’s Parking Plaza, with deliveries expected within 90 days as of late November 2025.
What’s remarkable about ALEKTRA’s offering is its focus on practicality and accessibility. Technically classified as a quadricycle (meaning it’s smaller than even an A-segment car like the Suzuki Alto), the vehicle still boasts four seats, a closed cabin, air-conditioning with both cooling and heating, and a Bluetooth-enabled music player. It’s not a luxury car, but it gets you from point A to point B—rain or shine, summer or winter. The company doesn’t manufacture the car itself; instead, it white-labels a Chinese-made vehicle typically sold via Alibaba, then brings it to Pakistan under its own badge with official support and warranty coverage.
The specs are modest but well-suited for city driving: a 2.68 horsepower electric drivetrain, lithium battery options ranging from 7.2 to 12.96 kWh, and a range of 80 to 180 kilometers depending on the battery size. Charging takes 5 to 7 hours using a standard 220V AC outlet, and the top speed is capped at 45-50 km/h. For added convenience and security, the car includes features like an anti-theft alarm, remote start, and a reverse camera. Buyers also get a two-year warranty on both the battery and the motor—an attractive proposition for those wary of maintenance headaches.
Of course, at this price point, the ALEKTRA quadricycle is competing with the used car market, particularly the ever-popular Suzuki Mehran. But as reviewers point out, a Mehran in this price range would likely be eight or nine years old, come with no warranty, and carry the risk of numerous mechanical and cosmetic issues. By contrast, the ALEKTRA EV is maintenance-free, cheap to run, and brand new—a compelling alternative for those looking for reliable urban transport without breaking the bank.
Interestingly, the vehicle’s practicality has caught the attention of international automotive reviewers as well, including YouTube personalities like Supercar Blondie and WhistlelinDiesel. While some may see the car as little more than a glorified golf cart, others recognize its potential to transform daily commutes for millions of Pakistanis. It’s certainly more practical than a motorcycle, especially in the country’s often harsh weather conditions.
The divergent fortunes of Tesla in India and ALEKTRA in Pakistan underscore the importance of local context in the EV revolution. In India, where the EV market is still nascent and policy hurdles remain steep, even a global powerhouse like Tesla can struggle to gain traction. In Pakistan, by contrast, a nimble newcomer has found success by offering a no-frills, affordable solution that meets the basic needs of everyday drivers.
As South Asia’s cities continue to grapple with air pollution, traffic congestion, and the rising cost of fuel, the push for electric mobility is only set to intensify. Whether through high-tech imports or homegrown innovations, the region’s journey toward cleaner, greener transport will likely be shaped as much by local realities as by global trends. For Tesla and ALEKTRA alike, the coming years will be a true test of adaptability, persistence, and understanding what drivers really want.
For now, the EV race in South Asia is wide open—with each market writing its own rules and every player learning, sometimes the hard way, what it takes to put the region on the electric map.
