Tesla mulls small, fast EV batteries for India drive

Elon Musk-led Tesla is exploring fast-charging small batteries to cut the cost of its proposed most affordable car to help crack the price-sensitive Indian market, people aware of the matter said. Such batteries are already in use in China, and Tesla conveyed to the Indian government that it could look at bringing the technology for its cars in India.

- Nehal Chaliawala & Mihir Mishra

However, a wide public network of fast chargers would be crucial for Tesla to convince customers to buy vehicles with a smaller battery and, thus, lower range per charge. In a recent interaction with the government, the company's executives requested help in developing such a network, the people cited above said. It has also sought support in the making of the batteries.

Tesla did not respond to Mint's request for comment.