Importing a Tesla to France: the complete guide

Why import a Tesla?

Teslas are electric vehicles, so they are exempt from the malus CO₂ and the malus au poids. That is a substantial advantage over combustion engine cars, where those taxes can run to several thousand euros.

Prices on mobile.de and AutoScout24 are frequently 10% to 20% below French prices, even once transport and the administrative steps have been added in.

The models available for import

Tesla offers several models that lend themselves to importing:

• Model 3: the most popular saloon, excellent value for money
• Model Y: the family SUV, roomier and more practical
• Model S: the premium saloon, dearer but very well equipped
• Model X: the premium SUV, with falcon wing doors

The full cost of an imported Tesla

The landed cost in France of a Tesla breaks down as follows:

• Purchase price: varies with the model and the age
• Transport: €400 to €800 from Germany
• Transit plates: €100 to €200
• COC (certificate of conformity): €50 to €150 (Tesla supplies the COC quickly)
• Contrôle technique (the French roadworthiness test): not required for recent Teslas (under 4 years old)
• Quitus fiscal (the French tax clearance certificate): free of charge (but allow 2 to 4 weeks)
• Carte grise (the French vehicle registration document): varies by region (with no penalty tax to add)

What is different about importing an electric car

Unlike a combustion engine car, a Tesla needs no oil change, no cambelt and no clutch. Servicing comes down to the bare essentials: tyres, brakes, brake fluid and cabin filter.

The battery carries an 8 year warranty from Tesla, with a floor of 70% capacity. Check the state of the battery before buying: ask for the degradation percentage, readable from the touchscreen or through a third party app.

Charging and range

Before importing, make sure you have access to a charge point at home or close by. Real world range depends on temperature, speed and driving style.

Around town, reckon on roughly 400 to 500 km of range for a Model 3. On the motorway at 130 km/h, take 20% to 30% off that.

Tesla specific paperwork

The administrative process is the same as for a combustion engine car: quitus fiscal, COC, then registration through the ANTS (the French national vehicle registration agency). The one difference is that Tesla issues the COC very quickly, often within 48 hours.

A Tesla COC is generally cheaper than one from a traditional manufacturer (€50 to €150 depending on the model).