Nara Lokesh Visits Tesla and Perot Group, Eyes Investment Opportunities in EV and Tech for Andhra Pradesh

On Monday, Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Human Resource Development, IT, Electronics, and Communications, visited Tesla Headquarters in Austin, Texas, as part of his mission to attract global investments to Andhra Pradesh. Meeting with Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja, Lokesh discussed potential avenues for the electric vehicle giant to expand its footprint in India, proposing Anantapur as an ideal site for EV and battery production.

Taneja highlighted Tesla’s global leadership in electric mobility and sustainable energy solutions, noting the company’s innovations in battery storage, solar technology, and power walls. He pointed out that Tesla’s success last year included an 18.8% growth rate, generating $97 billion in revenue with a market capitalization of $832 billion.

Lokesh emphasized Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious target to achieve 72 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2029 under Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership. He invited Tesla’s collaboration in fulfilling this goal, citing Andhra Pradesh’s recent success with leading auto manufacturers like Kia and Hero Motors.

With a focus on industry-friendly policies and the state’s infrastructure, Lokesh pitched Anantapur as a prime location for Tesla’s EV and battery initiatives. He also underscored the need for advanced battery storage solutions to support upcoming data centers and IT hubs in Andhra Pradesh, urging Tesla’s participation.

Expanding his investment outreach, Lokesh later met Ross Perot Jr., Chairman of Perot Group and Hillwood Development, in Dallas. He proposed Andhra Pradesh’s coastline as an ideal location for industrial and logistics projects inspired by Perot’s Alliance Texas, a massive master-planned community renowned for its real estate, technology, and energy developments. "It was a pleasure meeting Ross Perot Jr. to discuss how Andhra Pradesh’s coastal regions could host projects akin to Alliance Texas," Lokesh shared on X, expressing optimism about potential collaborations in smart city development and broader industrial growth for the state