India’s Tata Motors plans to import its Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) luxury electric cars under a new government policy that lowers import taxes for companies agreeing to set up local manufacturing, two Indian government sources said. Tesla is also expected to start importing its cars to India and make an investment in the country, Reuters has reported, but Tata’s plan if realised would make it the first local carmaker to opt for the policy designed to increase use of electric vehicles (EVs). A Tata spokesperson declined to comment on what it said was speculation. The policy announced in March cuts import taxes to 15% from as high as 100% on some EV models if a carmaker invests at least $500 million and sets up a domestic factory within three years. Tata had originally pressed the Indian government not to lower duties to protect the domestic industry.
